Star profile

Torcular

Omicron Piscium · Pisces

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

What is Torcular

Torcular shines orange at 280 light-years from the Earth, in the constellation Pisces, in an area of sky little frequented by the brighter stars. Its name comes from the Latin «torcular», the wine or olive press used in any ancient mill: ancient observers saw in this particular part of the sky a tight knot in the cord binding the two fish of the constellation together. A discreet star, faithful to its place, recalling how earthly and agrarian the metaphors often were that mapped the firmament for centuries before modern astronomy.

Where it is and when to see it

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

From London it culminates about 48° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 58° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 47° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 81° S.

It ranks no. 6 in brightness among the 79 stars of Pisces in our catalogue. To find it, start from Alpherg, the brightest: it lies about 7° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 280 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Torcular

Constellation: Pisces
Apparent magnitude: 4.26
Distance: 279.5 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 26.348° · Dec 9.158°
Catalogue: HIP 8198 · HD 10761

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Other stars in Pisces

Pisces has 79 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 79 stars in Pisces