Star profile

46 Boötis

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

What is 46 Boötis

46 Boötis is a K-type orange giant about 518 light-years away, set on the eastern flank of the Herdsman. Its swollen, comparatively cool atmosphere tints its light a warm hue that stands out against the bluer suns nearby. It looks into the field where the celestial shepherd yields ground to the Northern Crown, one of the most recognisable small garlands of the night sky.

Where it is and when to see it

46 Boötis 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 65° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 76° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 30° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 64° S.

It ranks no. 58 in brightness among the 88 stars of Boötes in our catalogue. To find it, start from Arcturus, the brightest: it lies about 14° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 520 years ago.

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Astronomical data for 46 Boötis

Constellation: Boötes
Apparent magnitude: 5.67
Distance: 517.8 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 227.099° · Dec 26.301°
Catalogue: HIP 74087 · HD 134320

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Other stars in Boötes

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

See all 88 stars in Boötes