THE 172 BRIGHTEST STARS

Through Magnitude 3.00

Stars

From Jim Kaler's STARS.

The table lists the 172 visually brightest stars of the sky, those through visual magnitude 3.00 (that is, all the stars of the minus first, zeroth, first, and second magnitudes as seen with the naked eye, and extended to mid-third), adapted originally from the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Stars (J. B. Kaler, Cambridge University Press, 2006). Most data are taken from the Bright Star Catalogue (BSC, Fourth Revised Edition, D. Hoffleit and C. Jaschek, Yale University Observatory, New Haven, 1982) and SIMBAD . With some exceptions, distances are taken from the Hipparcos Catalogue, as are proper motions (motions across the line of sight). Distances of first magnitude (and brighter) stars are from the second reduction, as are some others as indicated in the stars' descriptions.

Magnitudes (hence rankings), colors (to determine the degree of interstellar dust absorption), and spectral classes are those of the BSC. In cases of ties in magnitudes, the stars are ranked from hottest to coolest. Many of the stars are binary (double) or even more complex. Close doubles are noted, wide ones ignored. Doubles unresolvable with the naked eye (ignoring faint companions) are ranked according to the combined magnitudes, with data on individuals given in the remarks. Note that listings such as this one cannot be unique and definitive because of stellar variability, different sources of data (which can give slightly different magnitudes), and different ways of treating binaries.

Several stars present special cases. The individual members of the Rigil Kentaurus (Alpha Centauri, ignoring Proxima), Capella (Alpha Aurigae), Hadar (Beta Centauri), and Acrux (Alpha Crucis) pairs would each make the list on their own. As a result, the table actually contains the 174 visually brightest stars. Castor A (which is itself double), at magnitude 1.93, would make the list as well, ranking 43rd, as would the brighter components of Spica, Mizar, Almach (Gamma And), Muhlifain (Gamma Cen), Algieba (Gamma Leo), and Graffias (Beta Sco). Because they are easily separable, the components of Rigil Kentaurus and Acrux are presented as individuals, though each is given the rank as if they were combined. Betelgeuse and Antares are variables that will change their brightness ranks. Outbursting Dschubba (Delta Scorpii) and Gamma Cassiopeiae are listed according to their catalogued magnitudes. Scheat (Beta Peg) can drop to third magnitude.

Statistics: Ignoring binaries, there are two stars of the minus first magnitude (brighter than -0.50, Canopus and Sirius), 8 of zeroth magnitude (between -0.49 and +0.50), 13 of first magnitude (between 0.51 and 1.50), and 70 of second magnitude (between 1.51 and 2.50). The number increases very rapidly with decreasing brightness, over 200 in third magnitude, and so on.

The table presents, in order:

The Roman numeral in the spectral class gives the luminosity class: I through V for supergiant, bright giant, giant, subgiant, and dwarf. Ia supergiants are more luminous than Ib supergiants; "p" stands for "peculiar spectrum, "m" for "metallic line spectrum," "e" for "emission lines present." See the HR Diagram for the loci of the luminosity classes. Stars located on the HR diagram are linked to it in the "CLASS" column. Note possible discrepancies, as the Bright Star table has been updated since the diagram was constructed.



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RANK PROPER NAME GREEK LETTER NAME CLASS DIST (LY) APP MAG ABS MAG RAD VEL (km/s) VEL (km/s) REMARKS
1 Sirius Alpha CMa A1V 8.6 -1.46 1.43 -8 19 White dwarf companion
2 Canopus Alpha Car F0II 309 -0.72 -5.60 21 25 X-rays from hot corona; may become neon white dwarf
3 Rigil Kentaurus A Alpha Cen A G2V 4.36 -0.01 4.34 -23 33 Companion Proxima Cen, 11.05 mag, M5.5V
3 Rigil Kentaurus B Alpha Cen B K1V 4.36 1.33 5.68 -23 33 Combined magnitude -0.29; by itself would rank 21st
4 Arcturus Alpha Boo K1.5III 37 -0.04 -0.30 -5 122 High velocity
5 Vega Alpha Lyr A0V 25 0.03 0.60 -14 19 Dusty circumstellar disk
6 Capella Alpha Aur G8III+G0III 43 0.08 -0.51 30 40 Close binary, mags. 0.76 and 0.91
7 Rigel Beta Ori B8Iab 860 0.12 -7.0 21 21 Nearby double companion; fainter one more distant
8 Procyon Alpha CMi F5IV-V 11.5 0.34 2.61 -3 21 White dwarf companion
9 Achernar Alpha Eri B3Vpe 140 0.46 -2.70 16 26 Rapid rotator, oblate
10 Hadar Beta Cen B1III 392 0.61 -4.81 6 33 Close binary twins with more distant companion; Beta Cephei variable
11 Betelgeuse Alpha Ori M2Iab 570 0.7 -5.5 21 33 Semi-regular variable, mag between 0.2 and 1.5l; distance might be high as 640 ly
12 Altair Alpha Aql A7V 16.7 0.77 2.22 -26 30 Rapid rotator, oblate
13 Acrux A Alpha Cru A B0.5IV 325 1.3 -3.9 -11 20 Mag uncertain, combined=0.8; by itself ranks 20th
13 Acrux B Alpha Cru B B1V 325 1.8 -3.4 -6 18 Mag uncertain, combined=0.8; by itself ranks 30th
14 Aldebaran Alpha Tau K5III 67 0.85 -0.70 54 57 In front of Hyades
15 Antares Alpha Sco M1.5Ib 550 0.96 -5.7 -3 35 Semi-reg variable by a few tenths of a mag; 0.5 mag dust abs.
16 Spica Alpha Vir B1V+B4V 250 1.04 -3.38 1 19 Close binary; 0.03 mag variation from tidal oblateness
17 Pollux Beta Gem K0III 34 1.14 1.06 3 31 Nearest K giant
18 Fomalhaut Alpha PsA A3V 25 1.16 1.73 7 15 Dusty circumstellar disk and a planet
19 Mimosa Beta Cru B0.5III 280 1.25 -3.41 16 26 Beta Cep variable
19 Deneb Alpha Cyg A2Ia 1425 1.25 -7.09 -5 6 One of the brightest class A supergiants; spectrum variable
21 Regulus Alpha Leo B7V 79 1.35 -0.58 6 29 Binary red dwarf companion
22 Adhara Epsilon CMa B2II 405 1.50 -4.0 27 27 Brightest star as seen in ultraviolet
23 Castor Alpha Gem A1V+A5Vm 51 1.58 0.61 6 16 Quadruple, with binary C (M1 Ve) sextuple; A and B magnitudes 1.93, 2.97; B class A2?
24 Gacrux Gamma Cru M3.5III 88 1.63 -0.52 21 40 Mild barium star
25 Shaula Lambda Sco B1.5IV+B2 365 1.63 -3.6 -3 32 Triple: AB abs mags -3.2, -2.5; Ab forming star; Aa Beta Cep variable
26 Bellatrix Gamma Ori B2III 245 1.64 -2.72 18 19 Slightly variable
27 Elnath Beta Tau B7III 130 1.65 -1.37 9 35 Also Gamma Aurigae
28 Miaplacidus Beta Car A2IV 111 1.68 -1.98 -5 31 With Atria, one of two brightest near SCP
29 Alnilam Epsilon Ori B0Ia 1340 1.70 -6.6 26 26 Central Belt star
30 Alnitak Zeta Ori O9.5Ibe+B0III 815 1.74 -5.5 16 17 Eastern Belt star; visual binary
31 Al Nair Alpha Gru B7IV 101 1.74 -0.72 12 31 Rapid rotator
32 Alioth Epsilon UMa A0p 81 1.77 -0.21 -9.3 16 Alpha-2 CVn magnetic star; Big Dipper; UMa cluster
33 Regor Gamma-2 Vel WC8+O7.5e 1200 1.78 -6.3 35 40 Wolf-Rayet, close binary; 0.3 mag dust absorption
34 Dubhe Alpha UMa K0III 124 1.79 -1.10 -9 27 F0V companion; Big Dipper; UMa cluster
35 Mirfak Alpha Per F5Iab 590 1.79 -4.5 -2 31 Alpha Persei cluster
36 Wezen Delta CMa F8Iab 1800 1.84 -6.9 34 36 Rare yellow supergiant
37 Kaus Australis Epsilon Sgr B9.5III 143 1.85 -1.38 -15 31 Possible circumstellar shell
38 Alkaid Eta UMa B3V 101 1.86 -0.59 -11 21 Big Dipper
39 Avior Epsilon Car K3III+B2V 630 1.86 -4.6 12 34 Unresolved binary; False Cross
40 Girtab Theta Sco F1II 272 1.87 -2.73 1 3 Scorpius's southern limit
41 Menkalinan Beta Aur A2IV 82 1.90 -0.10 -18 19 Eclipsing binary (partial)
42 Atria Alpha TrA K3II-III 415 1.92 -3.61 -3 23 Hybrid star; barium star; with Miaplacidus, one of two bright stars near SCP
43 Alhena Gamma Gem A0IV 105 1.93 -0.60 -12 16 Close binary
44 Peacock Alpha Pav B2IV 183 1.94 -1.81 2 23 Close binary
45 Delta Vel Delta Vel A1V 80 1.96 0.02 2 13 Multiple star; S. pole star in 9000 AD; False Cross
46 Mirzam Beta CMa B1II-III 500 1.98 -3.94 34 34 Beta Cep variable
47 Alphard Alpha Hya K3II-III 177 1.98 -1.70 -4 10 Barium star
48 Algieba Gamma Leo K1III+G7III 131 1.99 ... -37 74 Double, A and B mags 2.29, 3.55, uncertain; abs mags -0.72, 0.54; high velocity
49 Hamal Alpha Ari K2III 66 2.00 0.47 -14 27 Somewhat low in metals
50 Polaris Alpha UMi F7Ib-II 430 2.02 -3.58 -17 33 N. pole star; Cepheid variable; triple, F7 dwarf close, F3 distant
51 Nunki Sigma Sgr B2.5V 225 2.02 -2.17 -11 21 Little Milk Dipper; Polaris probably a bit brighter
52 Deneb Kaitos Beta Cet K0III 96 2.04 -0.30 13 35 Bright X-ray source
53 Saiph Kappa Ori B0.5Ia 720 2.06 -4.79 21 21 Oddly low carbon
54 Alpheratz Alpha And B8IVp 97 2.06 -0.31 -12 30 Mercury-manganese star; spect binary
55 Mizar Zeta UMa A2Vp+A7Vm 78 2.06 ... -7 16 Double, A and B mags 2.27, 3.95; abs mags 0.37, 2.05; each again double; with Alcor, sextuple; peculiar abundances; Big Dipper; UMa cluster
56 Menkent Theta Cen K0III 61 2.06 0.70 1.3 65 Like Pollux; high velocity
57 Mirach Beta And M0III 200 2.06 -1.87 0.3 60 High velocity; distant faint companion
58 Rasalhague Alpha Oph A5III 47 2.08 1.30 13 21 Faint close companion
59 Kochab Beta UMi K4III 126 2.08 -0.86 17 18 With Pherkad, a Guardian of the Pole; marginal barium star
60 Beta Gru Beta Gru M5III 170 2.10 -1.49 1.6 34 Irregular variable
61 Algol Beta Per B8V 93 2.12 -0.15 4 4 Classic eclipsing binary
62 Denebola Beta Leo A3V 36 2.14 1.92 -0.2 27 Vega system, circumstellar dust
63 Almach Gamma And K3II+(B8V+A0V) 355 2.16 ... -12 36 Classic vis. binary mags 2.26, 4.84; B also double, mags 5.1, 6.3; brighter spect binary; abs mag primary -2.92
64 Muhlifain Gamma Cen A1IV 130 2.17 ... -5.5 36 Binary, identical components ave 0.94", 84 yr period, mags 2.8, 2.9; abs mags -0.2, -0.1
65 Sadr Gamma Cyg F8Ib 1500 2.20 -6.8 -8 9 Rich part of Milky Way; slightly variable
66 Suhail Lambda Vel K4Ib-II 575 2.21 -4.02 18 29 High velocity; irregular variable
67 Mintaka Delta Ori B0III+O9V 915 2.23 -5.3 16 16 Close binary; distant mag 6.5 class B2V companion
68 Alphecca Alpha CrB A0V 75 2.23 0.43 1.7 16 "Gemma"; elipsing binary, G5 companion
69 Shedar Alpha Cas K0III 230 2.23 -2.00 -4 20 Possible dimmings
70 Eltanin Gamma Dra K5III 148 2.23 -1.05 -28 28 "Zenith star," from which aberration of starlight found
71 Naos Zeta Pup O5Ia 970 2.25 -5.4 -24 55 Runaway star from cluster Tr 10; rapid rotation
72 Aspidiske Iota Car A8Ib 690 2.25 -4.42 13 27 Other names: Scutulum, Tureis; False Cross
73 Caph Beta Cas F2III-IV 54 2.27 1.16 11 44 Delta Sct variable; close companion
74 Eps Sco Epsilon Sco K2.5III 65 2.29 0.77 -2.5 63 High velocity
75 Eps Cen Epsilon Cen B1III 375 2.30 -3.13 3 11 Beta Cep variable; faint companion
76 Kakkab Alpha Lup B1.5III 550 2.30 -4.02 5 26 Beta Cep variable
77 Eta Cen Eta Cen B1.5Ve 310 2.31 -2.73 -0.2 22 Rapid rotator; "Be" star with surrounding disk
78 Dschubba Delta Sco B0.3IV 400 2.32 -3.6 -7 23 "Be" star now in outburst
79 Merak Beta UMa A1V 79 2.37 0.43 -12 16 Vega system, circumstellar dust; Big Dipper; UMa cluster
80 Ankaa Alpha Phe K0III 77 2.39 0.52 75 88 High velocity; low-mass companion
81 Enif Epsilon Peg K2Ib 670 2.39 -4.18 5 30 Giant flare?
82 Kappa Sco Kappa Sco B1.5III 450 2.41 -3.40 -14 22 Close binary; Beta Cep variable
83 Scheat Beta Peg M2.5II-III 200 2.42 -1.51 9 68 Irregular variable to bright 3rd mag
84 Sabik Eta Oph A2V+A3V 84 2.43 ... -0.9 13 Binary mag 3.0, 3.5; abs mag 0.9, 1.4
85 Phecda Gamma UMa A0Ve 84 2.44 0.39 -13 18 Rapid rotator, Ae (emission) star; spect binary; Big Dipper; UMa cluster
86 Alderamin Alpha Cep A7V 49 2.44 1.56 -10 15 Rapid rotator; unusually active X-ray emitter
87 Aludra Eta CMa B5Ia 3200 2.45 -7.5 41 54 Distance poor; strong wind
88 Gienah Cygni Epsilon Cyg K0III 72 2.46 0.74 -11 52 Distant dim companion
89 Gamma Cas Gamma Cas B0IVpe 549 2.47 -4.0 -7 21 Classic "Be" (emission) star; unpredictably variable; can be much brighter
90 Markab Alpha Peg B9V 140 2.49 -0.67 -3.5 16 Known for "normality"; also classed as giant
91 Graffias Beta Sco B1V+B2V 530 2.50 ... -2 23 Binary, mags 2.62, 4.92; abs mags -4.10, -1.80, 0.7 mag interstellar abs
92 Markeb Kappa Vel B2IV-V 540 2.50 -3.78 22 25 Spect binary; False Cross
93 Menkar Alpha Cet M1.5III 220 2.53 -1.62 -26 37 Irregular variable
94 Zeta Cen Zeta Cen B2.5IV 385 2.55 -2.84 6.5 41 Spect binary
95 Zeta Oph Zeta Oph O9.5V 460 2.56 -4.27 -15 24 1.1 mag dust extinction; runaway star
96 Zosma Delta Leo A4V 58 2.56 1.28 -20 26 Delta Sct variable
97 Arneb Alpha Lep F0Ib 1300 2.58 -5.56 24 25 Nitrogen-enhanced; state of rapid evolution
98 Gienah Gamma Crv B8IIIpHgMn 165 2.59 -0.93 -4.2 39 Mercury-manganese star
99 Izar Epsilon Boo K0II-III+A2V 205 2.59 ... -17 21 Double, abs mags -1.3, 1.1; distance, vis mags uncertain
100 Delta Cen Delta Cen B2IV 395 2.60 -3.20 11 29 "Be" emission (shell) star
101 Zubeneschamali Beta Lib B8V 160 2.61 -0.84 -35 42 Traditionally reputed to be green.
102 Ascella Zeta Sgr A2III+A4IV 89 2.61 ... 22 22 Close binary, mags 3.26, 3.47, abs mags 1.08, 1.29, 21 yr orbit.
103 Theta Aur Theta Aur A0pSi 173 2.62 -1.01 30 36 Alpha-2 CVnmagnetic star; Binary with solar companion
104 Phact Alpha Col B7IVe 270 2.64 -1.94 35 36 "Be" (emission) star
105 Sheratan Beta Ari A5V 60 2.64 1.33 -1.9 13 Spect binary
106 Kraz Beta Crv G5II 140 2.65 -0.51 -7.6 14 Possible weak barium star
107 Unukalhai Alpha Ser K2III 73 2.65 0.89 0.7 15 X-ray emitter; strong carbon
108 Beta Lup Beta Lup B2III 524 2.68 -3.41 6.2 39 Beta Cephei variable
109 Ruchbah Delta Cas A5III-IV 99 2.68 0.26 6.7 44 Eclipsing binary (partial)
110 Muphrid Eta Boo G0IV 37 2.68 2.41 -0.1 20 Super metal-rich; hot corona
111 Lesath Upsilon Sco B2IV 520 2.69 -3.38 8 24 Possible "Be" emisison star
112 Alpha Mus Alpha Mus B2IV-V 305 2.69 -2.30 13 23 Beta Cep variable
113 Mu Vel Mu Vel G5III+G2V 116 2.69 -0.06 6.2 15 Mags 2.8, 5.7, uncertain; Double, abs mags 0.1, 3.0; giant flare
114 Al Kab Iota Aur K3II 510 2.69 -3.89 18 22 X-ray hybrid star
115 Pi Pup Pi Pup K3Ib 925 2.70 -4.87 16 23 In cluster Col 132; 0.3 mag interstellar abs.
116 Kaus Media Delta Sgr K3III 305 2.70 -2.16 -20 29 Possible conmpanion(s); weak barium star
117 Tarazed Gamma Aql K3II 460 2.72 -3.03 -2.1 11 X-ray hybrid star
118 Porrima Gamma Vir F0V+F0V 38 2.74 ... -20 26 indentical double, mags 3.48, 3.53; abs mag 3.13, 3.18
119 Al Dhibain Prior Eta Dra G8III 88 2.74 0.59 -14 16 9th mag K1 dwarf companion
120 Yed Prior Delta Oph M0.5III 170 2.74 -0.85 -20 42 Iron-rich; non-variable standard
121 Iota Cen Iota Cen A2V 59 2.75 1.48 0.1 30 Measured as bright as 2.70; dusty disk
122 Zubenelgenubi Alpha-2 Lib A3IV 77 2.75 0.88 -10 17 Double; Alpha-1 5th mag F4 dwarf naked-eye companion
123 Theta Car Theta Car B0Vp 440 2.76 3.11 24 28 Silicon star; brightest blue straggler
124 Nair al Saif Iota Ori O9III 1300 2.77 -5.6 22 22 Odd spect. binary; origin of runaway stars Mu Col and AE Aur
125 Kornephoros Beta Her G7III 148 2.77 -0.51 -26 33 X-ray emission; spect. binary
126 Cebalrai Beta Oph K2III 82 2.77 0.77 -12 20 Subtle pulsations; spotted rotator; guide to Poniatowski's Bull
127 Gamma Lup Gamma Lup B2IV 421 2.78 -3.05 2.3 22 Spect. double, with B4V, 0.19 mag int. abs. 0.19 mag
128 Cursa Beta Eri A3III 89 2.79 0.61 -9.2 17 Possible large flashes
129 Rastaban Beta Dra G2Ib-II 362 2.79 -2.43 -20 22 Double; should be Cepheid but isn't.
130 Delta Cru Delta Cru B2IV 364 2.80 -2.47 22 30 Fast rotator; Beta Cephei star
131 Beta Hyi Beta Hyi G2IV 24.4 2.80 3.43 23 83 High velocity; south pole star 150 BC
132 Cor Caroli Alpha CVn Aop 110 2.81 0.17 -3.3 39 Double, mags=2.9, 5.6, abs mags=0.26, 2.96; Alpha-2 magnetic
133 Tureis Rho Pup F6II 63 2.81 1.39 46 47 Brightest Delta Sct star
134 Zeta Her Zeta Her G0IV+G7V 35 2.81 2.64 70 76 Double, mags 2.90, 5.53, abs mags 2.73, 5.36; high velocity
135 Kaus Borealis Lambda Sgr K1III 77 2.81 0.94 42 48 Modest X-ray source
136 Al Niyat Tau Sco B0V 430 2.82 -2.97 2 15 Slow rotator (or pole-on)
137 Algenib Gamma Peg B2IV 333 2.83 -2.21 4.1 6.2 Beta Cep star; slow rotator (or pole-on)
138 Vindemiatrix Epsilon Vir G8III 102 2.83 0.35 -14 43 Strong X-ray source
139 Nihal Beta Lep G5II 159 2.84 -0.60 -14 24 Odd companion; chemically peculiar
140 Zeta Per Zeta Per B1Iab 980 2.85 -5.60 20 25 1.06 mag interstellar abs; two companions
141 Beta TrA Beta TrA F2III 40 2.85 2.40 0.4 26 Really a dwarf
142 Beta Ara Beta Ara K3Ib-II 603 2.85 -3.48 -0.4 23 Super metal-rich
143 Alpha Hyi Alpha Hyi F0V 71 2.86 1.16 7 28 South pole star 2900 BC
144 Alpha Tuc Alpha Tuc K3III 199 2.86 -1.06 42 48 Spectroscopic double
145 Alcyone Eta Tau B7III 430 2.87 -2.83 10 31 Brightest of Pleiades "Be" (emission) star
146 Delta Cyg Delta Cyg B9.5IV+F1V 171 2.87 -0.74 -20 26 Double star, mags 2.9, 6.3, combined uncertain
147 Deneb Algedi Delta Cap AmV 39 2.87 2.51 -6.3 23 Eclipsing binary; metallic-line Delta Scuti star
148 Tejat Mu Gem M3III 232 2.88 -1.38 55 69 Variable by 25%; high velocity
149 Epsilon Per Epsilon Per B0.5V 538 2.89 -3.58 1 21 Beta Cephei star; 0.38 mag dust absorption
150 Pi Sco Pi Sco B1V+B2V 520 2.89 -3.38 -3 19 Spectroscopic double; distance from luminosity; 1/4 mag dust absorption
151 Al Niyat Sigma Sco B2III+O9V 735 2.89 -3.38 -0.4 22 Spectroscopic double; 1.3 mag dust absorption
152 Gamma TrA Gamma TrA A1V 183 2.89 -0.85 -3 20 Chemically peculiar; rapid rotator
153 Albaldah Pi Sgr F2II 440 2.89 -2.76 -9.8 26 Two close companions
154 Gomeisa Beta CMi B8Ve 170 2.90 -0.69 22 27 "Be" (emission) star
155 Sadalsuud Beta Aqr G0Ib 610 2.91 -3.46 6.5 22 Rare mid-temperature supergiant; loosly related to Enif and Sadalmelik
156 Gamma Per Gamma Per G8III+A2V 218 2.93 -1.20 2.5 2.8 Second brightest eclipsing binary, partial, 14.6 yr period
157 Tau Pup Tau Pup K1III 182 2.93 -0.80 36 42 Spectroscopic double, 2.9-yr period
158 Matar Eta Peg G2II-III 215 2.94 -1.15 4.3 10 Quadruple star
159 Alpha Ara Alpha Ara B2Ve 267 2.95 -1.94 0.0 29 B-emission shell star
160 Algorab Delta Crv B9.5V 88 2.95 0.80 9 33 Attractive binary
161 Upsilon Car Upsilon Car A6Ib+B3-4IV 1250? 2.95 ... 14 53 Binary, dist. from spectral classes; mags 3.02, 6.03; abs mags -5.0, -2.5; 0.35 mag dust abs.
162 Zaurak Gamma Eri M0.5III 221 2.95 -1.21 62 74 Slightly variable; high velocity
163 Sadalmelik Alpha Aqr G2Ib 760 2.96 -3.88 7.5 24 Rare yellow supergiant; hybrid star
164 Algenubi Epsilon Leo G1II 250 2.98 -1.45 4.3 17 Cepheid-like pulsations of 0.1 mag
165 Mebsuta Epsilon Gem G8Ib 900 2.98 -4.23 9.9 21 Frequently occulted by Moon; possible companion
166 Deneb Okab Aus Zeta Aql A0V 83 2.99 0.96 -25 25 Very rapid rotation
167 Almaaz Epsilon Aur F0Iae 2000 2.99 -6.9 -2.5 7 Weird eclipsing binary, 27 yr period; 1.0 mag interstellar abs
168 Alnasl Gamma-2 Sgr K0III 96 2.99 0.64 22 34 Gateway to Cepheid W Sgr
169 Zeta Tau Zeta Tau B2IIIpe 420 3.00 -2.53 20 22 Classic B-emission star
170 Beta Tri Beta Tri A5III 124 3.00 0.09 9.9 30 Really a dwarf; close sunlike companion
171 Gamma Hydrae Gamma Hya G8III 132 3.00 -0.04 -5.4 16 A star in transition
172 Minkar Epsilon Crv K2.5III 303 3.00 -1.84 4.9 32 Somewhat metal-rich

Opening image: Ursa Minor's Little Dipper, with Polaris at far left.

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