Star profile

Delta Serpens

Variable star

3D likeness based on its real data · class F · ~6,500 K

What is Delta Serpens

Delta Serpentis is a multiple spectroscopic system whose main component is a yellow-white subgiant and a member of the Delta Scuti family of pulsators: it beats with periods of mere hours, expanding and contracting like a thermal heart. Its brightness shifts slightly with every breath, in a cadence only sensitive instruments can follow. The light we see tonight crossed 228 years of darkness before touching Earth.

Where it is and when to see it

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

From London it culminates about 49° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 60° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 46° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 79° S.

It ranks no. 7 in brightness among the 65 stars of Serpens in our catalogue. To find it, start from Unukalhai, the brightest: it lies about 5° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 230 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Delta Serpens

Constellation: Serpens
Apparent magnitude: 3.80
Distance: 228.1 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 233.701° · Dec 10.539°
Catalogue: HIP 76276 · HD 138917

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Other stars in Serpens

Serpens has 65 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 65 stars in Serpens