Alphard - α Hydrae (alpha Hydrae)
Alphard, also designated as α Hydrae (alpha Hydrae), is a variable and multiple bright giant star of spectral class K3 in the constellation of Hydra.
Alphard visual magnitude is 1.98, making it the 45th brightest star in the sky. Because of its brightness, Alphard is clearly visible to the naked eye when observed from locations with dark skies, and should be also quite easily visible from light polluted areas.
Celestial Coordinates
Apparent
J2000
Galactic Coordinates
Finder Chart
Magnitude, Color, Spectral Class
The red dot in the diagram below shows where Alphard is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.
Star System Properties
Alphard is a visual double star which can be observed only with the help of very large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the Alphard double sysyem:
Distance, Radial Speed, Proper Motion
Alphard is distant 177.17 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 4 kilometers per second.
Alternative Designations
Visibility from Your Location
Today's Alphard - α Hydrae (alpha Hydrae) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, UK are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):