Altair - α Aquilae (alpha Aquilae)
Altair, also designated as α Aquilae (alpha Aquilae), is a multiple main-sequence star of spectral class A7 in the constellation of Aquila.
Altair visual magnitude is 0.77, making it the 12th brightest star in the sky. Because of its brightness, Altair 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 Altair is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.
Star System Properties
Altair 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 Altair double sysyem:
Distance, Radial Speed, Proper Motion
Altair is distant 16.77 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 26 kilometers per second.
Alternative Designations
Visibility from Your Location
Today's Altair - α Aquilae (alpha Aquilae) rise, transit and set times from East Washington, United States are the following (all times relative to the local timezone America/New_York):