Rasalgethi

Alp-1

Variable star

Its story

Rasalgethi, «the head of the kneeling one», crowns the figure of Hercules in the deep red of its M class. It is a supergiant several times wider than the orbit of Mars and one of the broadest variables in the sky: its brightness breathes over months as its huge atmosphere pulses in slow waves. Its light crosses 359 light years to reach earthly telescopes.

Constellation: Hercules
Apparent magnitude: 2.78
Distance: 359.6 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 258.662° · Dec 14.390°
Catalogue: HIP 84345 · HD 156014

Take your star to the gift that suits you best.

Choose a tier

Symbolic commemorative gift — no ownership, no IAU recognition.