λ Aurigae (lambda Aurigae)

λ Aurigae is a multiple sub-giant star in the constellation of Auriga.

λ Aurigae visual magnitude is 4.71. Because of its moderate brightness, λ Aurigae 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 λ Aurigae:

Color of λ Aurigae ⬤

Magnitude of λ Aurigae 4.71

Class Sub-giant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW λ Aurigae (lambda Aurigae) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 31°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of λ Aurigae

λ Aurigae is situated north of the celestial equator, as such, it is more easily visible from the northern hemisphere. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of λ Aurigae are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 05h 19m 08s

Declination J2000 +40° 05’ 57”

Galactic Longitude 167.67°

Galactic Latitude 1.54°

Constellation Auriga

The simplified sky map below shows the position of λ Aurigae in the sky:

Finder chart λ Aurigae (lambda Aurigae) star

Simplified finder chart for λ Aurigae (lambda Aurigae).

Visibility of λ Aurigae from your location

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

λ Aurigae (lambda Aurigae) is circumpolar and transits at 12:40 UTC (altitude: 78.6°)

Digitized Sky Survey image of λ Aurigae

The image below is a photograph of λ Aurigae 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 λ Aurigae is 0.519 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.664 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 1000 years is represented with the red arrow.

Image of λ Aurigae (lambda Aurigae) star

DSS2 image of λ Aurigae. The red arrow shows the motion of λ Aurigae during the next 1000 years (8.65 arcmin in Right Ascension and -11.07 arcmin in declination);

Distance of λ Aurigae from the Sun and relative movement

λ Aurigae is distant 41.22 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 66 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 12.65 pc

Distance (light year) 41.22 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity 66 km/s

Proper Motion RA 0.519 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.664 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of λ Aurigae

λ Aurigae belongs to spectral class G1 and has a luminosity class of IV corresponding to a sub-giant star.

Absolute magnitude 4.20

Spectral Type G1IV

Color Index (B-V) 0.63

Temperature of λ Aurigae 5853K

The red dot in the diagram below shows where λ Aurigae is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

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

λ Aurigae star system properties

λ Aurigae is a visual double star which can be observed with the help of small or medium telescopes. The table below shows key information about the λ Aurigae double sysyem:

Main star magnitude 4.71

Secondary star magnitude 9.61

Magnitude difference 4.9

Separation 146.6 arcsec

Alternative designations of λ Aurigae

Bayer designation λ Aurigae
(lambda Aurigae)

Flamsteed designation 15 Aurigae

Henry Draper Catalogue HD34411

SAO Catalogue SAO40233

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP24813

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD+39 1248

Gliese Catalogue Gl 197

FK5 Catalogue 1145

Aitken Double Star Catalogue ADS3886

In Evidence

Other stars in Auriga