SkyKeepsakes page about the star Iklil
Iklil is a relatively small, fainten star in the constellation Sco. Primarily visible as a dwarf, it’s estimated to have a visually magnitude of 3.867. This star is relatively close to Earth, just about 445.5 light years away and located within the Galactic Hemisphere. Iklil possesses a low proper motion, suggesting its orientation has remained relatively constant over time. It is a relatively newly discovered star, and remains uncatalogued on mainstream astronomical data sets.
The recognition of Iklil as a prominent star within the constellation Sco primarily stems from its distinctive appearance and its position within the relatively quiescent area of the night sky. Its relatively small size allows for easy identification by keen observers – it's a valuable component to astronomical observation. Without accounting for subtle variations in its light curve, a thorough analysis would reveal a more complex star system with multiple phases, though its primary observable characteristics remain relatively straightforward in relation to other, more visually apparent stars.
Interestingly, Iklil is a noteworthy example of a star in a relatively stable orbit. Its parallax, 7.322 mas, gives an accurate measurement of its distance to the local galaxy, revealing this star’s location within the Milky Way’s spiral arm. Like many stars in this region, Iklil may well be a relatively ancient and unassuming object, a fundamental component of the cosmos's history. It presents a unique illustration of stellar evolution and the enduring patterns of ancient astronomy.
Iklil isn’t frequently featured in more detailed astronomical catalogues due to its minor luminosity and the relatively sparse data available concerning its properties, though it remains notable as a bright, relatively unchanged star in a fairly ancient region of the Milky Way. Its designation as 5Rho Sco offers a convenient, albeit somewhat vague, identification and provides a shorthand approach to cataloguing.
How to see it
Iklil has a visual magnitude of about 3.87: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.
Sky position
Equatorial coordinates for Iklil: right ascension 15h 56m 53s, declination −29° 12′ 51″ (J2000), in the region of the Scorpius constellation (IAU figure Sco).
Catalog context
Iklil. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 5Rho Sco, HIP 78104, HD 142669, Gaia DR3 6041076668127513984. In the SkyKeepsake Scorpius (Sco) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.
Catalog identifiers
- Gaia
- Gaia DR3 6041076668127513984
- HIP
- 78104
- HD
- 142669
- gaia_dr3
- 6041076668127513984
- Bayer / Flamsteed
- 5Rho Sco
Observed properties
- Visual magnitude
- 3.87