Star · M4
Gl 78
Gl 78 is a main-sequence star of spectral type M4 in the constellation Cetus, 56.0 light-years from the Sun.
| Other names | HIP 8691 |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Cetus |
| Distance | 56.0 light-years (17.2 pc) |
| Apparent magnitude | magnitude 11.80 |
| Absolute magnitude | magnitude 10.63 |
| Spectral type | M4 |
| Surface temperature | 3,830 K |
| Luminosity | 0.0168 L☉ |
| Radius | 0.294 R☉ |
| Mass | 0.321 M☉ (estimated) |
| Right ascension (J2000) | 1h 51m 48.4s |
| Declination (J2000) | −10° 48′ 08″ |
| Space velocity (relative to the Sun) | 64.8 km/s |
In the sky
A telescope is needed to see it: its apparent magnitude is 11.80. Visible from the whole Southern Hemisphere and north to latitude 79° N. South of latitude 79° 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 1970. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 993 thousand years.
The Sun seen from there
From a planet around Gl 78, the Sun would look like a star of magnitude 6.00, in the direction where our sky has the constellation Boötes. It would be visible to the naked eye.
Neighbours
Its nearest neighbours in the catalogue (within 20 light-years):
- CWISE J014837.51-104805.6 9.06 light-years
- GJ 3162 10.3 light-years
- GJ 3132 10.3 light-years
- GJ 3139 10.4 light-years
- DENIS J020529.0-115925 11.1 light-years
- GJ 3142 12.7 light-years
- GJ 3098 13.1 light-years
- GJ 3093A 13.8 light-years
Position, brightness and colour from the HYG / AT-HYG catalogue; temperature, luminosity, radius and mass are approximate values computed from these observations.