χ Draconis (chi Draconis)

χ Draconis is a variable and multiple main-sequence star in the constellation of Draco.

χ Draconis visual magnitude is 3.57. Because of its moderate brightness, χ Draconis should be easily visible from locations with dark skyes, while it can be barely visible, or not visible at all, from skyes affected by light pollution.

The table below summarizes the key facts about χ Draconis:

Color of χ Draconis ⬤

Magnitude of χ Draconis 3.57

Class Main-sequence

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW χ Draconis (chi Draconis) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]. Altitude: 62°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of χ Draconis

χ Draconis is situated close to the northern celestial pole and, as such, it is visible for most part of the year from the northern hemisphere. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of χ Draconis are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 18h 21m 03s

Declination J2000 +72° 43’ 58”

Galactic Longitude 103.46°

Galactic Latitude 28.06°

Constellation Draco

The simplified sky map below shows the position of χ Draconis in the sky:

Finder chart χ Draconis (chi Draconis) star

Simplified finder chart for χ Draconis (chi Draconis).

Visibility of χ Draconis from your location

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

χ Draconis (chi Draconis) is circumpolar and transits at 05:39 UTC (altitude: 68.7°)

Digitized Sky Survey image of χ Draconis

The image below is a photograph of χ Draconis from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2 - see the credits section) taken in the red channel. The area of sky represented in the image is 0.5x0.5 degrees (30x30 arcmins). The proper motion of χ Draconis is 0.532 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.35 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 1000 years is represented with the red arrow.

DSS2 image of χ Draconis. The red arrow shows the motion of χ Draconis during the next 1000 years (8.87 arcmin in Right Ascension and -5.83 arcmin in declination);

Distance of χ Draconis from the Sun and relative movement

χ Draconis is distant 26.27 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 33 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 8.06 pc

Distance (light year) 26.27 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity 33 km/s

Proper Motion RA 0.532 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.35 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of χ Draconis

χ Draconis belongs to spectral class F7 and has a luminosity class of V corresponding to a main-sequence star.

Absolute magnitude 4.04

Spectral Type F7V

Color Index (B-V) 0.49

Temperature of χ Draconis 6435K

The red dot in the diagram below shows where χ Draconis is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

H-R diagram showing the position of χ Draconis. Attribution: Richard Powell / CC BY-SA

χ Draconis star system properties

χ Draconis 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 χ Draconis double sysyem:

Main star magnitude 3.57

Secondary star magnitude 5.57

Magnitude difference 2

Separation 0.1 arcsec

Alternative designations of χ Draconis

Bayer designation χ Draconis
(chi Draconis)

Flamsteed designation 44 Draconis

Henry Draper Catalogue HD170153

SAO Catalogue SAO9087

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP89937

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD+72 839

Gliese Catalogue Gl 713 A

FK5 Catalogue 695

General Catalogue of Variable Stars 10749

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Other stars in Draco