Star · M3.0 V
GJ 581
GJ 581 is a main-sequence star of spectral type M3.0 V in the constellation Libra, 20.5 light-years from the Sun. It is orbited by 3 confirmed exoplanet(s).
| Other names | Gl 581 · HIP 74995 |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Libra |
| Distance | 20.5 light-years (6.30 pc) |
| Apparent magnitude | magnitude 10.57 |
| Absolute magnitude | magnitude 11.57 |
| Spectral type | M3.0 V |
| Surface temperature | 3,500 K |
| Luminosity | 0.0124 L☉ |
| Radius | 0.302 R☉ |
| Mass | 0.295 M☉ |
| Age | 4.3 billion years |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.08 |
| Right ascension (J2000) | 15h 19m 26.8s |
| Declination (J2000) | −7° 43′ 20″ |
| Space velocity (relative to the Sun) | 37.9 km/s |
In the sky
A telescope is needed to see it: its apparent magnitude is 10.57. Visible from the whole Southern Hemisphere and north to latitude 82° N. It stands highest at midnight in May, the best time to observe it.
Through a telescope from Earth
Light's journey
The light you see tonight set out around the year 2005. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 365 thousand years.
The Sun seen from there
From a planet around GJ 581, the Sun would look like a star of magnitude 3.83, in the direction where our sky has the constellation Cetus. It would be visible to the naked eye.
Planets
Neighbours
Its nearest neighbours in the catalogue (within 20 light-years):
- HN Lib 4.32 light-years
- 2MASSW J1507476-162738 5.09 light-years
- Gl 570B 5.24 light-years
- Gl 570A 5.25 light-years
- WISEPA J154151.66-225025.2 5.74 light-years
- Gl 644B 8.29 light-years
- GJ 3877 8.35 light-years
- Gl 644A 8.40 light-years
Stellar parameters from the NASA Exoplanet Archive; position and brightness from the HYG / AT-HYG catalogue.