When is the best time to observe Alpha Indi?

Alpha Indi is best observed from June through August, with peak visibility during July when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Alpha Indi located in the sky?

Alpha Indi lies in the constellation Indus at right ascension 20h 38m and declination -47° 17′.

What telescope do I need to see Alpha Indi?

At magnitude 3.1, Alpha Indi is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Alpha Indi — Star in Indus

Magnitude 3.1^m Star Indus (Ind) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

About Alpha Ind

Description

Alpha Indi is an orange giant of spectral type K0III at magnitude 3.11, the brightest star in Indus (the Indian). Located about 101 light-years from Earth, it has a luminosity of roughly 62 times solar. It is one of the closer giant stars to the Sun.

Observing Tips

Alpha Ind lies in the far southern sky between Grus and Microscopium. It is the brightest star in the faint constellation Indus. Only visible from the southern hemisphere and very low northern latitudes. Best observed September through November.

History

Indus was created by Petrus Plancius from Dutch navigators' observations. The constellation was originally intended to represent a native person encountered during voyages to the East Indies. Alpha Indi has no traditional proper name.

Fun Facts

Epsilon Indi, another star in this constellation, is only 11.8 light-years from Earth and has a brown dwarf binary companion — making the constellation of Indus home to one of the nearest known brown dwarf systems, even though Alpha Ind itself is unremarkable.