Oph

Yed Prior is a faint, relatively close star located in the constellation Oph, identified within the official catalog of the Celestial Archive. It presents a significant visual magnitude of 2.016, classifying it as a relatively dim star. Its position, calculated using the coordinates RA 243.5862°, Dec -3.6950°, places it among the many stars that make up the constellation Oph. It’s a relatively distant star, estimated to be around 159.8 light years from Earth – this allows for fairly frequent observations from observatories with reasonably accurate telescopes.

While its classification makes it unremarkable to casual observers, Yed Prior’s recognition within the sky is underpinned by a distinct characteristic that helps distinguish it: its prominent placement within the spiral arms of the constellation Oph. It’s a relatively short-lived star, known for its relatively low luminosity, and an important target for ongoing observations. The star’s precise movement, recorded through parallax measurements – the apparent shift in its position against the background stars – provides intriguing data on its proper motion and orbital pattern. It appears relatively static in terms of its shape, allowing astronomers to continue studying its subtle variations and how it's influenced by neighboring stars.

The relatively unremarkable positioning of Yed Prior within a significant constellation—Oph—contributes a sense of historical context. While it lacks the visual impact often afforded to brighter stars, the long and relatively stable observations of this star help to build a solid understanding of its place and properties within a given period of astronomical discovery.

How to see it

Yed Prior has a visual magnitude of about 2.02: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Yed Prior: right ascension 16h 14m 21s, declination −3° 41′ 42″ (J2000), in the region of the Ophiuchus constellation (IAU figure Oph).

Ophiuchus — Explore by constellation

Catalog context

Yed Prior. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 1Del Oph, HIP 79593, HD 146051, Gaia DR3 4357027756659697664. In the SkyKeepsake Ophiuchus (Oph) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 4357027756659697664

HIP

79593

HD

146051

gaia_dr3

4357027756659697664

Bayer / Flamsteed

1Del Oph

Also known as

• 1Del Oph
• Gaia DR3 TOP 5M 4357027756659697664
• HD 146051
• HIP 79593

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

2.02