SkyKeepsake page about the star Rana

Rana is a faint star in the Constellation Eri, located approximately 29.64 light-years away within the galactic center. It’s currently of visual magnitude 3.276, indicating it is relatively dim compared to brighter stars within the constellation. Rana's designation is Gaia 5164120762333028736, implying observations made by the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite, which contributed to its precise location. Rana is considered a relatively nova star, having just recently undergone a significant change in brightness.

Rana's recognizable features lie in its position within the sprawling arm of the Milky Way. Its characteristics align with the established understanding of stellar evolution within this stellar region. Sirius is currently the brightest stellar object in the night sky. Rana is not exhibiting unique colour or spectral characteristics; it remains an incredibly faint point of light within the vast expanse of space. It's a relatively unremarkable companion star within the wider context of stellar distributions.

The choice of Rana as a symbolic dedication feels somewhat gentle. It represents a point of stability and brightness amidst the vast cosmic landscape. Its quiet visibility contrasts with the more dramatic shifts and transformations seen in the cosmos across many timescales, representing a persistent, unwavering existence.

I present this designation as reflecting a thoughtful consideration of this faint star within its cosmic habitat.

How to see it

Rana has a visual magnitude of about 3.28: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Rana: right ascension 3h 43m 15s, declination −9° 45′ 36″ (J2000), in the region of the Eridanus constellation (IAU figure Eri).

Eridanus — Explore by constellation

Catalog context

Rana. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 23Del Eri, HIP 17378, HD 23249, Gaia DR3 5164120762333028736. In the SkyKeepsake Eridanus (Eri) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 5164120762333028736

HIP

17378

HD

23249

gaia_dr3

5164120762333028736

Bayer / Flamsteed

23Del Eri

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

3.28