ζ Ophiuchi (zeta Ophiuchi)
ζ Ophiuchi is a variable main-sequence star in the constellation of Ophiuchus.
ζ Ophiuchi visual magnitude is 2.56. Thanks to its high brightness, ζ Ophiuchi is clearly visible when observed from locations with dark skyes, and should be also quite easily visible from light polluted areas.
The table below summarizes the key facts about ζ Ophiuchi:
Celestial coordinates and finder chart of ζ Ophiuchi
ζ Ophiuchi 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 ζ Ophiuchi are provided in the following table:
The simplified sky map below shows the position of ζ Ophiuchi in the sky:
Visibility of ζ Ophiuchi from your location
Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Today's ζ Ophiuchi (zeta Ophiuchi) 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 ζ Ophiuchi
The image below is a photograph of ζ Ophiuchi 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 ζ Ophiuchi is 0.014 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and 0.026 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 10000 years is represented with the red arrow.
Distance of ζ Ophiuchi from the Sun and relative movement
ζ Ophiuchi is distant 457.87 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 15 kilometers per second.
Spectral properties of ζ Ophiuchi
ζ Ophiuchi belongs to spectral class O9 and has a luminosity class of V corresponding to a main-sequence star.
The red dot in the diagram below shows where ζ Ophiuchi is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.
