Star profile

Sigma Serpens

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

What is Sigma Serpens

Sigma Serpentis glimmers just 89 light-years away, a near neighbour within Serpens —the only constellation split in two by the figure of Ophiuchus. A yellow-white F-type star, slightly hotter and more luminous than the Sun, it belongs to the Caput, the serpent's head. Its proximity makes it well suited for detailed study, even if its apparent brightness remains modest.

Where it is and when to see it

Sigma 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 40° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 50° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 55° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 89° S.

It ranks no. 18 in brightness among the 65 stars of Serpens in our catalogue. To find it, start from Unukalhai, the brightest: it lies about 11° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 89 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

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Astronomical data for Sigma Serpens

Constellation: Serpens
Apparent magnitude: 4.82
Distance: 89.0 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 245.518° · Dec 1.029°
Catalogue: HIP 80179 · HD 147449

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

Other stars in Serpens

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

See all 65 stars in Serpens