Alpha Sextantis

α Sextantis

Observation data Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation	Sextans
Right ascension	10^h 07^m 56.3^s
Declination	−0° 22′ 18″
Apparent magnitude (V)	+4.48
Distance	287 ± 28 ly (88 ± 8 pc)
Spectral type	A0III
Other designations
15 Sextantis, HR 3981, HD 87887, BD+00 2615, FK5 2814, HIP 49641, SAO 137366, GC 13916

Alpha Sextantis (α Sex, α Sextantis) is the brightest star in the constellation Sextans.^[1] It is a white A-type giant with an apparent magnitude of +4.48. It is approximately 287 light years from Earth.

Alpha Sextantis is considered an informal "equator star", as it lies less than a quarter of a degree south of the celestial equator. In 1900, it was 7 minutes of arc north of the equator. As a result of movement of the Earth's axial tilt, it crossed over to the Southern Hemisphere in December 1923.^[2]

References

1. The Internet Encyclopedia of Science Retrieved 24 May, 2009
2. Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois Retrieved 24 May, 2009

External links

Astronomy Knowledge Database