SkyKeepsake page about the star Ukdah.
Ukdah is a relatively dim star located within the constellation Sex. Classified as a variable star, Ukdah appears as a dwarf with a consistent luminosity. It’s currently registered in the Catalog with coordinates RA 144.9642°, Dec -1.1431°. It boasts a visual magnitude of 3.466, meaning it’s easily observable. Despite its small size, Ukdah presents intriguing irregularities in its brightness, possibly influenced by a binary companion system.
The significance of Ukdah lies primarily in its unique historical positioning within the Stellar Census, particularly within the context of its region in the Milky Way. This particular star displays a consistent, moderate luminosity, making it relatively stable to observe over extended timescales. Researchers have been investigating its variable period, specifically looking for periodic dips in brightness that might be tied to long-term orbital relationships with other celestial objects. Without advanced imaging, establishing its precise history and potential for discovery remains a substantial undertaking.
Perhaps, in the contemplation of Ukdah, a symbol of enduring presence and quietly brilliant radiance could be woven through the night sky. It could represent the steadfast hope of a distant beacon, a miniature gem in the grand tapestry of the universe. The star's characteristics, observed over countless generations of astronomers, have been used as a reference point in mapping stellar formations and evolving galactic structures.
Ukdah orbits the Pleiades star cluster, appearing to be gravitationally affected and drifting through the sky in unpredictable patterns. Its current, estimated distance of 252.7 light years and measured angular velocity of 46.27 mas/yr, suggests it is positioned within a relatively expanding volume of space, continually influenced by interstellar forces and galactic motions.
How to see it
Ukdah has a visual magnitude of about 3.47: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.
Sky position
Equatorial coordinates for Ukdah: right ascension 9h 39m 51s, declination −1° 8′ 35″ (J2000), in the region of the Sextans constellation (IAU figure Sex).
Catalog context
Ukdah. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 35Iot Hya, HIP 47431, HD 83618, Gaia DR3 3827873938815011200. In the SkyKeepsake Sextans (Sex) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.
Catalog identifiers
- Gaia
- Gaia DR3 3827873938815011200
- HIP
- 47431
- HD
- 83618
- gaia_dr3
- 3827873938815011200
- Bayer / Flamsteed
- 35Iot Hya
Observed properties
- Visual magnitude
- 3.47