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Marfik - λ Ophiuchi (lambda Ophiuchi)

Marfik, also designated as λ Ophiuchi (lambda Ophiuchi), is a variable and multiple hypergiant star in the constellation of Ophiuchus.

Marfik visual magnitude is 3.82. Because of its moderate brightness, Marfik 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 Marfik:

Color of Marfik ⬤

Magnitude of Marfik 3.82

Class Hypergiant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW Marfik - λ Ophiuchi (lambda Ophiuchi) is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change].

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of Marfik

Marfik 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 Marfik are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 16h 30m 54s

Declination J2000 +01° 59’ 02”

Galactic Longitude 17.12°

Galactic Latitude 31.85°

Constellation Ophiuchus

The simplified sky map below shows the position of Marfik in the sky:

Finder chart Marfik - λ Ophiuchi (lambda Ophiuchi) star

Simplified finder chart for Marfik - λ Ophiuchi (lambda Ophiuchi).

Visibility of Marfik from your location

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

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

Azimuth: 88.0° RISE 22:41

Max altitude: 40.5° TRANSIT 4:53

Azimuth: 272.0° SET 11:01

RIGHT NOW Marfik - λ Ophiuchi (lambda Ophiuchi) is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

Digitized Sky Survey image of Marfik

The image below is a photograph of Marfik 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 Marfik is -0.027 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.073 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 10000 years is represented with the red arrow.

Image of Marfik - λ Ophiuchi (lambda Ophiuchi) star

DSS2 image of Marfik. The red arrow shows the motion of Marfik during the next 10000 years (-4.50 arcmin in Right Ascension and -12.17 arcmin in declination);

Distance of Marfik from the Sun and relative movement

Marfik is distant 166.07 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 14 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 50.94 pc

Distance (light year) 166.07 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity -14 km/s

Proper Motion RA -0.027 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.073 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of Marfik

Marfik belongs to spectral class A0 and has a luminosity class of V corresponding to a hypergiant star.

Absolute magnitude 0.28

Spectral Type A0V

Color Index (B-V) 0.01

Temperature of Marfik 10002K

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

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

Marfik star system properties

Marfik is a visual double star which can be observed with the help of large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the Marfik double sysyem:

Main star magnitude 3.82

Secondary star magnitude 4.82

Magnitude difference 1

Separation 1.2 arcsec

Alternative designations of Marfik

Proper Name Marfik

Bayer designation λ Ophiuchi
(lambda Ophiuchi)

Flamsteed designation 10 Ophiuchi

Henry Draper Catalogue HD148857

SAO Catalogue SAO121658

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP80883

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD+02 3118

General Catalogue of Variable Stars 7784

Aitken Double Star Catalogue ADS10087

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