Altais is a small, crimson-hued star residing within the Dra constellation. Classified as a magnitude 2.808, it’s a visually prominent star, easily discernible even to the unaided eye. Currently, Altais is considered a secondary visual star and not a prom

Altais is renowned for being intrinsically rich in surface temperature - estimates suggest an effective temperature between 3000 and 4000 degrees Kelvin. This unique thermal characterization lends itself to strong stellar activity as a result of the nebula surrounding it, likely a planetary nebula, within the star’s region of space. Observations from the early 20th century reveal a complex and rather elongated shape, which aligns with the characteristics of a variable star. The star exhibits a slow, consistent wobble, referred to as proper motion, tracing a relatively slow movement across the sky, approximately 94.6 mas per year, but the precise measured value shifts around this approximate distance.

For celestial observers who contemplate Altais' significance, its positioning within the Dra constellation offers a particularly striking visual display. The star’s brightness, though unremarkable, provides a noticeable point of interest in the dark skies, acting as a quiet beacon. It subtly represents a historical reference point, a consistent indicator of stellar movements over a long period, representing a point of reference to time itself, providing a tangible sense of stability and measure within the heavens.

How to see it

Altais has a visual magnitude of about 2.81: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Altais: right ascension 19h 12m 34s, declination +67° 39′ 43″ (J2000), in the region of the Draco constellation (IAU figure Dra).

Draco — Explore by constellation

Catalog context

Altais. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 57Del Dra, HIP 94376, HD 180711, Gaia DR3 2255173119658513408. In the SkyKeepsake Draco (Dra) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 2255173119658513408

HIP

94376

HD

180711

gaia_dr3

2255173119658513408

Bayer / Flamsteed

57Del Dra

Also known as

• 57Del Dra
• Gaia DR3 TOP 5M 2255173119658513408
• HD 180711
• HIP 94376

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

2.81