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Star · A2V

σ For

σ For is a main-sequence star of spectral type A2V in the constellation Fornax, 320.0 light-years from the Sun.

Other namesHIP 17618
ConstellationFornax
Distance320.0 light-years (98.1 pc)
Apparent magnitudemagnitude 5.91
Absolute magnitudemagnitude 0.95
Spectral typeA2V
Surface temperature8,930 K
Luminosity41.9 L☉
Radius2.7 R☉
Mass2.64 M☉ (estimated)
Right ascension (J2000)3h 46m 27.4s
Declination (J2000)−29° 20′ 17″
Space velocity (relative to the Sun)16.8 km/s

In the sky

Visible to the naked eye under a dark sky (apparent magnitude 5.91). Visible from the whole Southern Hemisphere and north to latitude 61° N. South of latitude 61° S it never sets. It stands highest at midnight in November, the best time to observe it.

Through a telescope from Earth

Light's journey

The light you see tonight set out around the year 1706. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 5.7 million years.

The Sun seen from there

From a planet around σ For, the Sun would look like a star of magnitude 9.79, in the direction where our sky has the constellation Corona Borealis. It would be invisible to the naked eye.

Neighbours

Its nearest neighbours in the catalogue (within 20 light-years):

  • HIP 17258 6.46 light-years
  • HIP 17045 13.2 light-years
  • HIP 16953 14.0 light-years

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.