Alpha Sextantis

α Sextantis
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Sextans
Right ascension 10h 07m 56.3s
Declination 0° 22 18
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.48
Distance287 ± 28 ly
(88 ± 8 pc)
Spectral typeA0III
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

External links

Astronomy Knowledge Database

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