ξ Serpentis (xi Serpentis)
ξ Serpentis is a variable and double hypergiant star in the constellation of Serpens.
ξ Serpentis visual magnitude is 3.54. Because of its moderate brightness, ξ Serpentis 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 ξ Serpentis:
Celestial coordinates and finder chart of ξ Serpentis
ξ Serpentis 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 ξ Serpentis are provided in the following table:
The simplified sky map below shows the position of ξ Serpentis in the sky:
Visibility of ξ Serpentis from your location
Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Today's ξ Serpentis (xi Serpentis) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change] are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):
Digitized Sky Survey image of ξ Serpentis
The image below is a photograph of ξ Serpentis 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 ξ Serpentis is -0.042 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.
Distance of ξ Serpentis from the Sun and relative movement
ξ Serpentis is distant 105.40 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 43 kilometers per second.
Spectral properties of ξ Serpentis
ξ Serpentis belongs to spectral class F0 and has a luminosity class of IV corresponding to a hypergiant star.
The red dot in the diagram below shows where ξ Serpentis is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.
ξ Serpentis star system properties
ξ Serpentis is a visual double star which can be observed only with the help of very large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the ξ Serpentis double sysyem: