Star profile
Anser
Alpha Vulpecula · Vulpecula
Cool red starWhat is Anser
Anser shines in Vulpecula, 'the little fox', a small and relatively recent constellation traced in the seventeenth century by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius. Its name, 'the goose', recalls that in the original drawing the fox carried a goose in its mouth. It is a cool red giant about 297 light-years away — the light crossing the sky tonight set out around 1728.
Where it is and when to see it
Anser lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is July, when it culminates around midnight.
- From London it culminates about 63° above the horizon.
- From New York it culminates about 74° above the horizon.
- From Sydney it culminates about 31° above the horizon.
It can be seen from anywhere north of 65° S.
It is the brightest of the 44 stars of Vulpecula in our catalogue, which makes it the best starting point for finding your way around the constellation.
The light you see today left it about 300 years ago.
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Leave your signature on Anser
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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 Anser
- Constellation
- Vulpecula
- Apparent magnitude
- 4.44
- Distance
- 297.4 light years
- Coordinates (J2000)
- RA 292.176° · Dec 24.665°
- Catalogue
- HIP 95771 · HD 183439
A symbolic commemorative gift: neither the signature nor the chosen name implies ownership of the star or recognition by the IAU.
Other stars in Vulpecula
Vulpecula has 44 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.
- 23 Vulpecula4.50
- 31 Vulpecula4.56
- 13 Vulpecula4.57
- 15 Vulpecula4.66
- 1 Vulpecula4.76
- HIP 998244.79
- 29 Vulpecula4.81
- 12 Vulpecula4.90