Star profile

Pi Draco

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

What is Pi Draco

π Draconis is a white star coiled in the tail of the Dragon, the celestial serpent that surrounds the north pole without touching it. Its A type betrays a relatively young, hot star still in its prime. The constellation Draco was for centuries the guardian of the ancient pole: five thousand years ago Thuban —not far away in the sky— marked true north for the builders of the pyramids.

Where it is and when to see it

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

From London it never sets and culminates about 76° up.
From New York it never sets and culminates about 65° up.
From Sydney it never rises above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 24° S.

It ranks no. 20 in brightness among the 122 stars of Draco in our catalogue. To find it, start from Eltanin, the brightest: it lies about 18° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 230 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

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Leave your signature on Pi Draco

Your name and a message go up on the map for everyone to read. Signing is free.

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Write my signature

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 Pi Draco

Constellation: Draco
Apparent magnitude: 4.60
Distance: 228.9 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 290.167° · Dec 65.715°
Catalogue: HIP 95081 · HD 182564

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

Other stars in Draco

Draco has 122 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 122 stars in Draco