SkyKeepsakes page about the star Anser
Anser is a bright, gold-white star located in the constellation Vul. It possesses a magnitude of 3.741, placing it among the more recognizable stars within the Milky Way. Its distance is estimated at 290.6 light years, and its proper motion reveals a constant change in direction, with a rate of 11.22 mas/year. While it’s a relatively easy-to-observe star, it doesn’t possess a defined, distinct colour or spectral type – it maintains a uniform, yellowish glow. Despite its apparent simplicity, it consistently emits light within the visible spectrum.
The star Anser’s recognition within the night sky is fundamentally rooted in its apparent position relative to other stars, specifically Sirius. While not directly connected to Sirius, its prominent appearance and relatively stable luminosity in the visible light spectrum make it a highly noticeable landmark. Its location within the Vul constellation contributes to its relative prominence, and its consistent brightness patterns offer a visible feature in the galactic field. The star itself doesn't provide particular beauty or narrative, it simply holds an impressive visual presence.
Anser’s potential as a symbolic dedication draws upon its enduring presence and historical significance. Given its enduring observation history, it can invoke a feeling of nostalgia, and perhaps a quiet acknowledgment of celestial timescale - that the star remains constant and predictable over extended periods of observation. It represents a steady point of focus in the wide expanse of the cosmos – perhaps a gentle reminder of time’s passage and constancy – a silent reassurance in a dynamically shifting world.
How to see it
Anser has a visual magnitude of about 3.74: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.
Sky position
Equatorial coordinates for Anser: right ascension 19h 28m 42s, declination +24° 39′ 52″ (J2000), in the region of the Vulpecula constellation (IAU figure Vul).
Catalog context
Anser. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 6Alp Vul, HIP 95771, HD 183439, Gaia DR3 2022881668925464320. In the SkyKeepsake Vulpecula (Vul) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.
Catalog identifiers
- Gaia
- Gaia DR3 2022881668925464320
- HIP
- 95771
- HD
- 183439
- gaia_dr3
- 2022881668925464320
- Bayer / Flamsteed
- 6Alp Vul
Also known as
- 6Alp Vul
- Gaia DR3 TOP 5M 2022881668925464320
- HD 183439
- HIP 95771
Observed properties
- Visual magnitude
- 3.74