Star profile

HIP 86248

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

What is HIP 86248

Above the southern altar of Ara, this orange K-type star watches about 330 light-years from us. Its light began its journey around 1696, while Newton was publishing his works on calculus and Peter the Great was travelling through Europe to modernise Russia. Cooler than the Sun yet larger in size, its coppery tone evokes the slow sunset of a silent god. We see it as a gentle beacon from European Baroque.

Where it is and when to see it

HIP 86248 lies in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is June, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it never rises above the horizon.
From New York it never rises above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 74° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 40° N.

It ranks no. 33 in brightness among the 43 stars of Ara in our catalogue. To find it, start from Beta Ara, the brightest: it lies about 6° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 330 years ago.

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Astronomical data for HIP 86248

Constellation: Ara
Apparent magnitude: 5.89
Distance: 332.2 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 264.364° · Dec -50.060°
Catalogue: HIP 86248 · HD 159463

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

Other stars in Ara

Ara has 43 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 43 stars in Ara