The star Udkadua is a distinctive star within the Lac constellation, formally identified as Lac Major. Its precise location within the constellation allows for a relatively unique and easily recognizable appearance in the night sky. It is currently repor

Udkadua's prominent feature – and perhaps the most striking characteristic of this star – is its apparent position relative to the Milky Way. Its light is highly sensitive to the surrounding environment, which likely contributes to its noticeable presence as a relatively bright point of illumination compared to other objects within its broader zone of observation. It maintains a relatively consistent brightness, avoiding significant shifts throughout its orbit.

The star’s positioning within the Lac constellation places it near the edge of the nebula Lac, a region often considered a significant landmark for stellar observations. It exhibits a slight, but consistent, radial velocity, measured at approximately 159.6 mas per year, which has been noted by spectrographic analysis. It is relatively far from its nearest companions, and its spectral classification, based on published data from the Bayer catalog, indicates a possible spectral type with characteristics that lend themselves to reflecting subtle variations in observed light. No specific color data has been reported, so its overall appearance remains a constant, yet somewhat shimmering, point of light.

Perhaps this star’s unique alignment—both its distance and apparent position within the Lac constellation—suggests a symbolic significance for anyone choosing to dedicate a star to it. It's a celestial reference point subtly altered by the vastness of space, a beacon for those charting the journey of stars.

How to see it

Udkadua has a visual magnitude of about 3.40: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Udkadua: right ascension 23h 37m 34s, declination +46° 27′ 23″ (J2000), in the region of the Lacerta constellation (IAU figure Lac).

Lacerta — Explore by constellation

Catalog context

Udkadua. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 16Lam And, HIP 116584, HD 222107, Gaia DR3 1939115478598580352. In the SkyKeepsake Lacerta (Lac) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 1939115478598580352

HIP

116584

HD

222107

gaia_dr3

1939115478598580352

Bayer / Flamsteed

16Lam And

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

3.40