Star profile

Alrescha

Alpha Piscium · Pisces

Variable star

3D likeness based on its real data · class A · ~8,500 K

What is Alrescha

Alrescha is the main light of Pisces, 150 light-years away, and precisely the star at which the two ribbons binding the mythological fish are tied. Its Arabic name «al-rishāʾ» means «the cord» or «the knot», for that very reason. It is a variable A-type system; seen up close, it splits into two white companions that have been turning slowly, bound by gravity, for aeons.

Where it is and when to see it

Alrescha 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 41° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 52° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 53° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 87° S.

It ranks no. 3 in brightness among the 79 stars of Pisces in our catalogue. To find it, start from Alpherg, the brightest: it lies about 15° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 150 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Alrescha

Constellation: Pisces
Apparent magnitude: 3.82
Distance: 150.6 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 30.512° · Dec 2.764°
Catalogue: HIP 9487 · HD 12446

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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