π Eridani (pi Eridani)

π Eridani is a variable giant star in the constellation of Eridanus.

π Eridani visual magnitude is 4.42. Because of its moderate brightness, π Eridani 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 Eridani:

Color of π Eridani ⬤

Magnitude of π Eridani 4.42

Class Giant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW π Eridani (pi Eridani) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]. Altitude: 19°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of π Eridani

π Eridani 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 π Eridani are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 03h 46m 08s

Declination J2000 -12° 06’ 06”

Galactic Longitude 201.55°

Galactic Latitude -46.47°

Constellation Eridanus

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

Finder chart π Eridani (pi Eridani) star

Simplified finder chart for π Eridani (pi Eridani).

Visibility of π Eridani from your location

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

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

Azimuth: 102.1° RISE 10:54

Max altitude: 26.4° TRANSIT 15:50

Azimuth: 257.9° SET 20:46

RIGHT NOW π Eridani (pi Eridani) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

Digitized Sky Survey image of π Eridani

The image below is a photograph of π Eridani 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 Eridani is 0.048 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and 0.058 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 10000 years is represented with the red arrow.

DSS2 image of π Eridani. The red arrow shows the motion of π Eridani during the next 10000 years (8.00 arcmin in Right Ascension and 9.67 arcmin in declination);

Distance of π Eridani from the Sun and relative movement

π Eridani is distant 496.95 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 46 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 152.44 pc

Distance (light year) 496.95 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity 46 km/s

Proper Motion RA 0.048 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec 0.058 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of π Eridani

π Eridani belongs to spectral class M2 and has a luminosity class of III corresponding to a giant star.

Absolute magnitude -1.50

Spectral Type M2III

Color Index (B-V) 1.63

Temperature of π Eridani 3608K

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

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

Alternative designations of π Eridani

Bayer designation π Eridani
(pi Eridani)

Flamsteed designation 26 Eridani

Henry Draper Catalogue HD23614

SAO Catalogue SAO149158

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP17593

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD-12 707

General Catalogue of Variable Stars Pi Eri

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In Evidence

Other stars in Eridanus