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Star · B2IV

γ Col

γ Col is a subgiant star of spectral type B2IV in the constellation Columba, 1,055 light-years from the Sun.

Other namesHIP 28199
ConstellationColumba
Distance1,055 light-years (323.4 pc)
Apparent magnitudemagnitude 4.36
Absolute magnitudemagnitude −3.19
Spectral typeB2IV
Surface temperature12,800 K
Luminosity3,510 L☉
Radius12.1 R☉
Mass9.36 M☉ (estimated)
Right ascension (J2000)5h 57m 32.2s
Declination (J2000)−35° 16′ 59″
Space velocity (relative to the Sun)29.0 km/s

In the sky

Visible to the naked eye under a dark sky (apparent magnitude 4.36). Visible from the whole Southern Hemisphere and north to latitude 55° N. South of latitude 55° S it never sets. It stands highest at midnight in December, the best time to observe it.

Through a telescope from Earth

Light's journey

The light you see tonight set out around the year 971. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 19 million years.

The Sun seen from there

From a planet around γ Col, the Sun would look like a star of magnitude 12.38, in the direction where our sky has the constellation Hercules. 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.