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Star · F2III

σ Col

σ Col is a giant star of spectral type F2III in the constellation Columba, 1,421 light-years from the Sun.

Other namesHIP 28098
ConstellationColumba
Distance1,421 light-years (435.7 pc)
Apparent magnitudemagnitude 5.52
Absolute magnitudemagnitude −2.68
Spectral typeF2III
Surface temperature6,980 K
Luminosity999 L☉
Radius21.6 R☉
Mass6.54 M☉ (estimated)
Right ascension (J2000)5h 56m 20.9s
Declination (J2000)−31° 22′ 57″
Space velocity (relative to the Sun)23.4 km/s

In the sky

Visible to the naked eye under a dark sky (apparent magnitude 5.52). Visible from the whole Southern Hemisphere and north to latitude 59° N. South of latitude 59° 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 605. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 25 million years.

The Sun seen from there

From a planet around σ Col, the Sun would look like a star of magnitude 13.03, 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.