Star profile

Cervantes

Mu Ara · Ara

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

What is Cervantes

Cervantes bears the name of the author of Don Quixote, assigned by the IAU to this yellow star in Ara after an international public vote. Its planetary system hosts worlds called Quijote, Dulcinea, Rocinante and Sancho. At 51 light-years, it is an astronomically close neighbour, and its golden light arrives after a journey of barely half a century, almost a heartbeat on the cosmic clock.

Where it is and when to see it

Cervantes 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 72° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 38° N.

It ranks no. 11 in brightness among the 43 stars of Ara in our catalogue. To find it, start from Beta Ara, the brightest: it lies about 5° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 51 years ago.

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A public signature from a real person. The chosen name is a symbolic denomination within Stelvia, with no official standing or IAU recognition: the sky is not for sale and belongs to no one.

Astronomical data for Cervantes

Constellation: Ara
Apparent magnitude: 5.12
Distance: 50.6 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 266.036° · Dec -51.834°
Catalogue: HIP 86796 · HD 160691

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