Star profile
Omega Ophiuchi
Variable starWhat is Omega Ophiuchi
ω Ophiuchi is a white A-type star that pulses with short periods, a hallmark of δ Scuti variables. It shines within the broad body of the Serpent-Bearer, that equatorial figure standing just between Scorpius and Sagittarius, near the heart of the Milky Way. Its clean, rhythmic light crosses space for almost two centuries to reach us.
Where it is and when to see it
Omega 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 17° above the horizon.
- From New York it culminates about 28° above the horizon.
- From Sydney it culminates about 78° above the horizon.
It can be seen from anywhere south of 69° N.
It ranks no. 25 in brightness among the 88 stars of Ophiuchus in our catalogue. To find it, start from Rasalhague, the brightest: it lies about 37° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).
The light you see today left it about 170 years ago.
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Astronomical data for Omega Ophiuchi
- Constellation
- Ophiuchus
- Apparent magnitude
- 4.45
- Distance
- 168.7 light years
- Coordinates (J2000)
- RA 248.034° · Dec -21.466°
- Catalogue
- HIP 80975 · HD 148898
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Other stars in Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus has 88 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.
- RasalhagueAlpha Ophiuchi2.08
- SabikEta Ophiuchi2.43
- Zeta Ophiuchi2.54
- Iota Ophiuchi4.39
- Xi Ophiuchi4.39
- 68 Ophiuchi4.42
- Psi Ophiuchi4.48
- HIP 853654.53