72 Leonis — Star in Leo
Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
4.63
Variable Type
Slow Irregular Variable
Spectral Type
M3IIb
supergiant
Star Color
Red
(B-V 1.66)
Distance
326 ly
3How easy to spot?
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| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Medium+ | Medium | Hard+ |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Easy
Medium
Hard
Very hard
Impossible
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Best season
Feb – Apr
(peak: Mar)
5Survey Image
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Explore
6
Size Comparison
Querying VizieR for stellar data…
7
Compare Stars
8
Spectral Classification
9
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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10
Stellar Lifecycle
11
Blackbody Spectrum
12
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
13
Stellar Fusion
Discover
14Stellar Notes
Lb?, 4.59 - 4.65V.
Ultraviolet FeII emission.
15
Light Travel Time Machine
16
Relativistic Travel
Nearby in the Sky
Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
Explore Nightbase
Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.
Arthur Eddington
1919 eclipse expedition confirming general relativity; first theory of stellar interiors; the Eddington limit
Biography
Leo
Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.
Constellation
The Life of Stars
From birth in a nebula to spectacular death — how stars are born, shine, swell, and die, and how to read the clues in their starlight.
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