SkyKeepsake page about the star Yunü

1. Who it is: Yunü is a relatively bright red giant star and a significant member of the constellation Leo. It’s located roughly 295.9 light-years from Earth in the Southern Hemisphere. Notably, Yunü’s precise location on the celestial sphere, which is crucial for navigation and star charts, is often represented as RA 151.9758°, Dec 9.9972°. The star’s magnitude is an easy-to-recognise figure of 3.839, indicating its brightness. It's currently observed as a standard member within the Leo constellation, providing a stable and reliable indicator of the night sky.

2. Why it is Recognizable in the Sky: Yunü shines brilliantly due to its age and evolutionary stage. Its size is typical for a relatively massive red giant, approximately 11 magnitudes smaller than the Sun. It's frequently seen as a subtle yet visible point of light early in the evening hours. Historically and still, its characteristic reddish hue is a valuable aid in discerning relative positions across vast expanses of the night sky. The luminosity is significant enough for detailed observation with older instruments.

3. Symbolic Consideration: While not a primary figure of importance in ancient folklore, the association of Yunü with Leo – an energetic and protective zodiac constellation – suggests a potential symbolism for individuals seeking direction or a connection to celestial power. Its steady light throughout numerous centuries might conjure images of lasting constancy, a trait valued by those seeking guidance, especially in times of uncertainty.

How to see it

Yunü has a visual magnitude of about 3.84: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Yunü: right ascension 10h 7m 54s, declination +9° 59′ 50″ (J2000), in the region of the Leo constellation (IAU figure Leo).

Leo — Explore by constellation

Catalog context

Yunü. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 31 Leo, HIP 49637, HD 87837, Gaia DR3 3879879704937353984. In the SkyKeepsake Leo (Leo) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 3879879704937353984

HIP

49637

HD

87837

gaia_dr3

3879879704937353984

Bayer / Flamsteed

31 Leo

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

3.84