Tau – Alcyone – 2.896

Given its prominence in the Tau constellation, Alcyone often displays a subtle, shifting glow in the night sky, an effect achieved through complex internal shifts in its brightness and position. Centuries-long observations have yielded subtle correlations between Alcyone’s light curves and distant galaxy formations, reinforcing its importance for galactic understanding. It's notable that Alcyone is only observed as a secondary star, requiring careful consideration for its subtle contribution in celestial phenomena. It offers a rare, stable point within a constellation, allowing astronomers an easy point of reference to study more distant objects across the universe.

Beyond its intrinsic characteristics, Alcyone’s symbolic value in celestial lore has manifested across various cultures and traditions. It represents, to some, a guiding light and a pathway to spiritual achievement—a symbol linking those contemplating the vast expanse of space and our place within it. The ancient Mesopotamian myth, referencing the ‘star of the brightest sky’ as a reminder of a celestial deity associated with reflection, echoes a deep-seated belief in the inherent radiance and importance of knowledge found in the heavens.

How to see it

Alcyone has a visual magnitude of about 2.90: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Alcyone: right ascension 3h 47m 29s, declination +24° 6′ 18″ (J2000), in the region of the Taurus constellation (IAU figure Tau).

Taurus — Explore by constellation

Catalog context

Alcyone. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 25Eta Tau, HIP 17702, HD 23630, Gaia DR3 66714384142368256. In the SkyKeepsake Taurus (Tau) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 66714384142368256

HIP

17702

HD

23630

gaia_dr3

66714384142368256

Bayer / Flamsteed

25Eta Tau

Also known as

• 25Eta Tau
• Gaia DR3 TOP 5M 66714384142368256
• HD 23630
• HIP 17702

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

2.90