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Star · K2III

η³ For

η³ For is a giant star of spectral type K2III in the constellation Fornax, 489.5 light-years from the Sun.

Other namesHIP 13265
ConstellationFornax
Distance489.5 light-years (150.1 pc)
Apparent magnitudemagnitude 5.48
Absolute magnitudemagnitude −0.40
Spectral typeK2III
Surface temperature4,200 K
Luminosity290 L☉
Radius32.2 R☉
Mass4.59 M☉ (estimated)
Right ascension (J2000)2h 50m 40.4s
Declination (J2000)−35° 40′ 33″
Space velocity (relative to the Sun)41.1 km/s

In the sky

Visible to the naked eye under a dark sky (apparent magnitude 5.48). Visible from the whole Southern Hemisphere and north to latitude 54° N. South of latitude 54° S it never sets. It stands highest at midnight in October, the best time to observe it.

Through a telescope from Earth

Light's journey

The light you see tonight set out around the year 1537. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 8.7 million years.

The Sun seen from there

From a planet around η³ For, the Sun would look like a star of magnitude 10.71, in the direction where our sky has the constellation Boötes. It would be invisible to the naked eye.

Open in the simulation

Position, brightness and colour from the HYG / AT-HYG catalogue; temperature, luminosity, radius and mass are approximate values computed from these observations.