SkyKeepsake page about the star Safina.

Safina is a faint and relatively distant variable star within the constellation PsA, located approximately 257.4 light years from Earth. As a dwarf star, Safina possesses a remarkably stable luminosity and is easily observable. It is currently listed as a magnitude of 3.328 and is considered to be a substar.

Safine’s recognition in the heavens primarily hinges on its position within the constellation PsA. Its relatively low apparent brightness, coupled with its relatively nearby location, imparts it visibility throughout the sky for a substantial segment of the night. Consequently, it is notable for its consistent, if small, luminosity, and for having been present in the sky since the distant past for nearly 500 million years. It has also been observed with varied light curves that reveal an interesting behavior—changing brightness over time.

Beyond its simple position, Safina's unique qualities make it a symbolically meaningful object to many observers. While not explicitly linked to any particular event or narrative, it acts as a reminder of stability and timelessness. It is a small spark against an endless, ever-changing dark, and therefore offers a grounded and persistent point in a potentially fleeting universe.

As a relatively small and long-lived star, the fact that it has continued to maintain an appearance, and even appear a little more vibrant, over several millions of years demonstrates an interesting aspect of its lifecycle; this prolonged existence offers considerable significance when considering the dynamics of stellar evolution over cosmic timescales.

How to see it

Safina has a visual magnitude of about 3.33: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Safina: right ascension 23h 9m 27s, declination −21° 10′ 20″ (J2000), on the celestial sphere.

Catalog context

Safina. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 88 Aqr, HIP 114341, HD 218594, Gaia DR3 2386316510063903616.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 2386316510063903616

HIP

114341

HD

218594

gaia_dr3

2386316510063903616

Bayer / Flamsteed

88 Aqr

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

3.33