Star · K4V
Gl 256
Gl 256 is a main-sequence star of spectral type K4V in the constellation Canis Major, 72.2 light-years from the Sun.
| Other names | HIP 33560 |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Canis Major |
| Distance | 72.2 light-years (22.1 pc) |
| Apparent magnitude | magnitude 9.14 |
| Absolute magnitude | magnitude 7.41 |
| Spectral type | K4V |
| Surface temperature | 4,380 K |
| Luminosity | 0.185 L☉ |
| Radius | 0.745 R☉ |
| Mass | 0.656 M☉ (estimated) |
| Right ascension (J2000) | 6h 58m 26.0s |
| Declination (J2000) | −12° 59′ 31″ |
| Space velocity (relative to the Sun) | 15.5 km/s |
In the sky
A telescope is needed to see it: its apparent magnitude is 9.14. Visible from the whole Southern Hemisphere and north to latitude 77° N. South of latitude 77° S it never sets. It stands highest at midnight in January, the best time to observe it.
Through a telescope from Earth
Light's journey
The light you see tonight set out around the year 1954. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 1.3 million years.
The Sun seen from there
From a planet around Gl 256, the Sun would look like a star of magnitude 6.56, in the direction where our sky has the constellation Aquila. It would be invisible to the naked eye.
Neighbours
Its nearest neighbours in the catalogue (within 20 light-years):
- GJ 3433 5.78 light-years
- CWISE J064749.87-160022.7 5.79 light-years
- Gl 261 9.33 light-years
- 7 CMa 11.3 light-years
- GJ 3450B 11.6 light-years
- GJ 1094 12.3 light-years
- HIP 35943 12.7 light-years
- DENIS-P J0716478-063037 12.9 light-years
Position, brightness and colour from the HYG / AT-HYG catalogue; temperature, luminosity, radius and mass are approximate values computed from these observations.