Star profile

HIP 71571

3D likeness based on its real data · class K · ~4,200 K

What is HIP 71571

In Boötes, the herdsman who eternally pursues the Bears around the pole, shines an orange star whose light crossed three hundred and twenty-three years before arriving. It set out when Bach was moving to Leipzig to take up his post as cantor at Saint Thomas. It is an ageing giant with a surface cooler than the Sun’s, whose amber tone sets it apart from the almost white blue of its bright spring neighbour. A discreet companion in a corner of the sky that bids farewell to spring and announces warm nights ahead.

Where it is and when to see it

HIP 71571 lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is April, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 57° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 68° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 38° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 72° S.

It ranks no. 77 in brightness among the 88 stars of Boötes in our catalogue. To find it, start from Arcturus, the brightest: it lies about 5° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 320 years ago.

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A public signature from a real person. The chosen name is a symbolic denomination within Stelvia, with no official standing or IAU recognition: the sky is not for sale and belongs to no one.

Astronomical data for HIP 71571

Constellation: Boötes
Apparent magnitude: 5.90
Distance: 323.0 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 219.558° · Dec 18.298°
Catalogue: HIP 71571 · HD 128750

A symbolic commemorative gift: neither the signature nor the chosen name implies ownership of the star or recognition by the IAU.

Other stars in Boötes

Boötes has 88 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 88 stars in Boötes