Equ 2.38
Enif is a relatively bright, relatively small, and relatively unremarkable star within the constellation Equ. Roughly the size of a basketball, it resides on the ‘Equator’ line of the northern sky. Its location is very precise; measured coordinates show it at approximately 326.0465 degrees south of equator, 9.875 degrees north of the celestial meridian. Its visual magnitude, 2.38, places it firmly within the ‘Sub-spectral’ category, suggesting a steady, uniform brightness level across the star's surface. This star isn't known for extreme brightness variations.
Historical accounts often attribute certain significance to Enif, referencing its association with significant periods in mythology and folklore. Across many cultures, it's mentioned as a beacon of light, and its brilliance is seen as offering both comfort and visibility. In some traditions, it’s connected with protective qualities and guiding lights – a notion possibly reflective of the star's position within the constellation. Beyond mere astronomical observation, the ancient world possessed an almost innate fascination with the uniqueness of this celestial body, seeing it as a reminder of the fundamental patterns of the cosmos. The specific properties of Enif were often interpreted through a lens of symbolism related to stability.
Though its existence – and precise catalog classification – is easily traceable within astronomical databases, the narrative often stems around its perceived importance regarding the perceived position of the celestial sphere. It's a star that exists not for its own merits, but for its own specific and noteworthy location within the larger framework of constellation geometry, carefully arranged according to a long history, and profoundly significant to some particular cultures.
How to see it
Enif has a visual magnitude of about 2.38: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.
Sky position
Equatorial coordinates for Enif: right ascension 21h 44m 11s, declination +9° 52′ 30″ (J2000), in the region of the Equuleus constellation (IAU figure Equ).
Catalog context
Enif. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 8Eps Peg, HIP 107315, HD 206778, Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-107315. In the SkyKeepsake Equuleus (Equ) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.
Catalog identifiers
- Gaia
- Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-107315
- HIP
- 107315
- HD
- 206778
- gaia_dr3
- HYG-HIP-107315
- Bayer / Flamsteed
- 8Eps Peg
Also known as
- 8Eps Peg
- Gaia DR3 TOP 5M HYG-HIP-107315
- HD 206778
- HIP 107315
- HYG-HIP-107315
Observed properties
- Visual magnitude
- 2.38