λ Ceti (lambda Ceti)

λ Ceti is a giant star in the constellation of Cetus.

λ Ceti visual magnitude is 4.7. Because of its moderate brightness, λ Ceti 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 Ceti:

Color of λ Ceti ⬤

Magnitude of λ Ceti 4.7

Class Giant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW λ Ceti (lambda Ceti) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]. Altitude: 35°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of λ Ceti

λ Ceti 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 λ Ceti are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 02h 59m 42s

Declination J2000 +08° 54’ 27”

Galactic Longitude 168.21°

Galactic Latitude -42.41°

Constellation Cetus

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

Simplified finder chart for λ Ceti (lambda Ceti).

Visibility of λ Ceti from your location

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

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

Azimuth: 81.1° RISE 8:33

Max altitude: 47.4° TRANSIT 15:17

Azimuth: 278.9° SET 22:00

RIGHT NOW λ Ceti (lambda Ceti) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

Digitized Sky Survey image of λ Ceti

The image below is a photograph of λ Ceti 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 Ceti is 0.004 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.014 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 10000 years is represented with the red arrow.

DSS2 image of λ Ceti. The red arrow shows the motion of λ Ceti during the next 10000 years (0.67 arcmin in Right Ascension and -2.33 arcmin in declination);

Distance of λ Ceti from the Sun and relative movement

λ Ceti is distant 423.93 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 10 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 130.04 pc

Distance (light year) 423.93 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity 10 km/s

Proper Motion RA 0.004 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.014 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of λ Ceti

λ Ceti belongs to spectral class B6 and has a luminosity class of III corresponding to a giant star.

Absolute magnitude -0.87

Spectral Type B6III

Color Index (B-V) -0.12

Temperature of λ Ceti 11920K

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

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

Alternative designations of λ Ceti

Bayer designation λ Ceti
(lambda Ceti)

Flamsteed designation 91 Ceti

Henry Draper Catalogue HD18604

SAO Catalogue SAO110889

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP13954

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD+08 455

FK5 Catalogue 1083

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In Evidence

Other stars in Cetus