SkyKeepsake page about the star Gumala
Gumala is a bright, red-orange star within the constellation Sgr, the Small Magellanic Cloud. It’s classified as a giant elliptical star, with a visible magnitude of 6.119. Its distance to Earth is approximately 89.82 light years, placing it comfortably within our observable universe. Gumala’s observed parallax is 36.31 mas, indicating it moves slightly against the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It's characterized by a relatively constant movement in its position within the constellation Sgr.
The star’s recognition as a focal point within this diffuse region stems from its proximity to the dense cloud of interstellar gas and dust, which obscures the view of many stars beyond it. This region produces a significant amount of light, allowing it to be visually discernible compared to many other stars in its surroundings. The apparent brightness of Gumala is fairly consistent throughout its orbit, providing a stable and easily observable target for stellar observations.
Historically, the constellation Sgr has held a distinctive position in astronomy – linked to the immense scale of the Magellanic Cloud, a planetary system that lies within the Milky Way. It serves as a significant marker, representing a region of concentrated star density and potentially harboring numerous planets, and consequently, adds a layer of intrigue to this expansive system. Its stable magnitude and relatively low radial velocity contribute to its enduring role as a prominent stellar element in this galactic area.
Gumala has demonstrated significant radial velocity changes within its history, indicating internal evolution that continues to this day. Despite its relatively low luminosity, its presence is crucial to interpreting the dynamics of this cloud formation zone, and the relatively close proximity to the Milky Way significantly increases the scope of observations of this star.
How to see it
Gumala has a visual magnitude of about 6.12: it usually needs binoculars or a small telescope, especially from light-polluted sites.
Sky position
Equatorial coordinates for Gumala: right ascension 19h 15m 33s, declination −24° 10′ 47″ (J2000), in the region of the Sagittarius constellation (IAU figure Sgr).
Catalog context
Gumala. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as HIP 94645, HD 179949, Gaia DR3 6770313530317154560. In the SkyKeepsake Sagittarius (Sgr) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.
Catalog identifiers
- Gaia
- Gaia DR3 6770313530317154560
- HIP
- 94645
- HD
- 179949
- gaia_dr3
- 6770313530317154560
Observed properties
- Visual magnitude
- 6.12