Star profile

Phi Ophiuchi

3D likeness based on its real data · class G · ~5,500 K

What is Phi Ophiuchi

Phi Ophiuchi is a yellow-gold giant of the Serpent-Bearer, type G8, about three solar masses and thirteen solar radii. Only 360 million years old, it has already exhausted the hydrogen in its core: a 2018 Bayesian analysis gives a 94% chance it now burns helium on the red clump. At 244 light-years, it is moving toward us at 33 km per second.

Where it is and when to see it

Phi Ophiuchi lies in the southern 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 22° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 33° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 73° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 73° N.

It ranks no. 19 in brightness among the 88 stars of Ophiuchus in our catalogue. To find it, start from Rasalhague, the brightest: it lies about 33° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 240 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Phi Ophiuchi

Constellation: Ophiuchus
Apparent magnitude: 4.29
Distance: 243.6 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 247.785° · Dec -16.613°
Catalogue: HIP 80894 · HD 148786

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Other stars in Ophiuchus

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

See all 88 stars in Ophiuchus