π Cephei (pi Cephei)

π Cephei is a multiple giant star in the constellation of Cepheus.

π Cephei visual magnitude is 4.41. Because of its moderate brightness, π Cephei 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 π Cephei:

Color of π Cephei ⬤

Magnitude of π Cephei 4.41

Class Giant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW π Cephei (pi Cephei) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]. Altitude: 66°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of π Cephei

π Cephei 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 π Cephei are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 23h 07m 53s

Declination J2000 +75° 23’ 15”

Galactic Longitude 116.42°

Galactic Latitude 13.84°

Constellation Cepheus

The simplified sky map below shows the position of π Cephei in the sky:

Simplified finder chart for π Cephei (pi Cephei).

Visibility of π Cephei from your location

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

π Cephei (pi Cephei) is circumpolar and transits at 10:49 UTC (altitude: 66.1°)

Digitized Sky Survey image of π Cephei

The image below is a photograph of π Cephei 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 π Cephei is 0.012 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.03 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 10000 years is represented with the red arrow.

DSS2 image of π Cephei. The red arrow shows the motion of π Cephei during the next 10000 years (2.00 arcmin in Right Ascension and -5.00 arcmin in declination);

Distance of π Cephei from the Sun and relative movement

π Cephei is distant 219.82 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 19 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 67.43 pc

Distance (light year) 219.82 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity -19 km/s

Proper Motion RA 0.012 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.03 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of π Cephei

π Cephei belongs to spectral class G2 and has a luminosity class of III corresponding to a giant star.

Absolute magnitude 0.27

Spectral Type G2III

Color Index (B-V) 0.8

Temperature of π Cephei 5281K

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

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

π Cephei star system properties

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

Main star magnitude 4.41

Secondary star magnitude 6.61

Magnitude difference 2.2

Separation 1 arcsec

Alternative designations of π Cephei

Bayer designation π Cephei
(pi Cephei)

Flamsteed designation 33 Cephei

Henry Draper Catalogue HD218658

SAO Catalogue SAO10629

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP114222

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD+74 1006

Aitken Double Star Catalogue ADS16538

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Other stars in Cepheus