Markab – a captivating star in the constellation Peg, located near the Galactic Centre. It belongs to the constellation Peg, which offers a relatively unremarkable, but ancient, region for observation. As its designation suggests, it's a low-brightness st
The recognizability of Markab stems primarily from its position and distance within the constellation Peg. Sirius stands out dramatically amongst the stars due to its brightness, a star with a magnitude of just 1.85. Markab, however, is a relatively faint point of light – a magnitude of just 2.49. These characteristics combined make it an intriguing target for astronomers and celestial observation enthusiasts because it sits relatively far off from the more easily recognized stars in the system, emphasizing an important place within this region of the cosmos.
Despite its brightness compared to easily observable stars, Markab possesses a profound significance in the surrounding galaxy. It’s situated within a location where stellar radiation is primarily concentrated, meaning the star’s light has been traveling for vast timescales, impacting and influencing the surrounding molecular cloud. The apparent location in the constellation Peg is intrinsically linked to the distribution of material, and its faintness helps explain why it’s one of several relatively simple objects within this area.
The star Markab – likely residing at a relatively long distance—serves as a small, subtly recognizable component of a significantly larger galactic structure. Its seemingly simple nature adds a fascinating challenge to the study and understanding of star formations and the cosmic background radiation. Further exploration into its dynamics – as a stellar element amongst a colossal cloud – would require significant investigation.
How to see it
Markab has a visual magnitude of about 2.49: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.
Sky position
Equatorial coordinates for Markab: right ascension 23h 4m 46s, declination +15° 12′ 19″ (J2000), in the region of the Pegasus constellation (IAU figure Peg).
Catalog context
Markab. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 54Alp Peg, HIP 113963, HD 218045, Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-113963. In the SkyKeepsake Pegasus (Peg) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.
Catalog identifiers
- Gaia
- Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-113963
- HIP
- 113963
- HD
- 218045
- gaia_dr3
- HYG-HIP-113963
- Bayer / Flamsteed
- 54Alp Peg
Also known as
- 54Alp Peg
- Gaia DR3 TOP 5M HYG-HIP-113963
- HD 218045
- HIP 113963
- HYG-HIP-113963
Observed properties
- Visual magnitude
- 2.49