χ Ophiuchi (chi Ophiuchi)

χ Ophiuchi is a variable sub-giant star in the constellation of Ophiuchus.

χ Ophiuchi visual magnitude is 4.42. Because of its moderate brightness, χ Ophiuchi 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 Ophiuchi:

Color of χ Ophiuchi ⬤

Magnitude of χ Ophiuchi 4.42

Class Sub-giant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW χ Ophiuchi (chi Ophiuchi) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]. Altitude: 20°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of χ Ophiuchi

χ Ophiuchi is situated close to the celestial equator, as such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of χ Ophiuchi are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 16h 27m 01s

Declination J2000 -18° 27’ 23”

Galactic Longitude 357.93°

Galactic Latitude 20.68°

Constellation Ophiuchus

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

Finder chart χ Ophiuchi (chi Ophiuchi) star

Simplified finder chart for χ Ophiuchi (chi Ophiuchi).

Visibility of χ Ophiuchi from your location

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

Today's χ Ophiuchi (chi Ophiuchi) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change] are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

Azimuth: 108.5° RISE 0:05

Max altitude: 20.1° TRANSIT 4:25

Azimuth: 251.5° SET 8:44

RIGHT NOW χ Ophiuchi (chi Ophiuchi) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

Digitized Sky Survey image of χ Ophiuchi

The image below is a photograph of χ Ophiuchi 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 Ophiuchi is -0.002 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.022 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 10000 years is represented with the red arrow.

DSS2 image of χ Ophiuchi. The red arrow shows the motion of χ Ophiuchi during the next 10000 years (-0.33 arcmin in Right Ascension and -3.67 arcmin in declination);

Distance of χ Ophiuchi from the Sun and relative movement

χ Ophiuchi is distant 488.76 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 3 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 149.93 pc

Distance (light year) 488.76 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity -3 km/s

Proper Motion RA -0.002 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.022 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of χ Ophiuchi

χ Ophiuchi belongs to spectral class B2 and has a luminosity class of IV corresponding to a sub-giant star.

Absolute magnitude -1.46

Spectral Type B2IV

Color Index (B-V) 0.28

Temperature of χ Ophiuchi 7591K

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

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

Alternative designations of χ Ophiuchi

Bayer designation χ Ophiuchi
(chi Ophiuchi)

Flamsteed designation 7 Ophiuchi

Henry Draper Catalogue HD148184

SAO Catalogue SAO159918

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP80569

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD-18 4282

FK5 Catalogue 3298

General Catalogue of Variable Stars Chi Oph

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In Evidence

Other stars in Ophiuchus