Star · M1V
GJ 1278
GJ 1278 is a main-sequence star of spectral type M1V in the constellation Cepheus, 66.3 light-years from the Sun.
| Other names | HIP 113944 |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Cepheus |
| Distance | 66.3 light-years (20.3 pc) |
| Apparent magnitude | magnitude 9.86 |
| Absolute magnitude | magnitude 8.32 |
| Spectral type | M1V |
| Surface temperature | 3,960 K |
| Luminosity | 0.12 L☉ |
| Radius | 0.734 R☉ |
| Mass | 0.588 M☉ (estimated) |
| Right ascension (J2000) | 23h 04m 30.2s |
| Declination (J2000) | +66° 45′ 52″ |
| Space velocity (relative to the Sun) | 31.0 km/s |
In the sky
A telescope is needed to see it: its apparent magnitude is 9.86. Visible from the whole Northern Hemisphere and south to latitude 23° S. North of latitude 23° N it never sets. It stands highest at midnight in September, the best time to observe it.
Through a telescope from Earth
Light's journey
The light you see tonight set out around the year 1960. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 1.2 million years.
The Sun seen from there
From a planet around GJ 1278, the Sun would look like a star of magnitude 6.37, in the direction where our sky has the constellation Carina. It would be visible to the naked eye.
Neighbours
Its nearest neighbours in the catalogue (within 20 light-years):
Position, brightness and colour from the HYG / AT-HYG catalogue; temperature, luminosity, radius and mass are approximate values computed from these observations.