When is the best time to observe Chort?

Chort is best observed from February through April, with peak visibility during March when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Chort located in the sky?

Chort lies in the constellation Leo at right ascension 11h 14m and declination +15° 26′.

What telescope do I need to see Chort?

At magnitude 3.3, Chort is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Chort — Star in Leo

HIP 54879; Theta Leonis; 70 Leonis

Magnitude 3.3^m Star Leo Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

About Chort

Description

Chertan (also called Chort) is a white main-sequence star of spectral type A2V at magnitude 3.34 in Leo. Located about 165 light-years from Earth, it has a surface temperature of about 9,350 K and a luminosity roughly 85 times solar. It lies in the hindquarter of the Lion, forming part of the triangle that defines Leo's body.

Observing Tips

Theta Leo lies in the rump of Leo, forming a triangle with Delta Leo (Zosma) and Beta Leo (Denebola). It is a white star easily found once the Sickle of Leo and the body triangle are identified. Best observed from February through June when Leo is prominent in the evening sky.

History

The name Chertan (or Chort) comes from the Arabic 'al-kharatan,' meaning 'the two small ribs,' referring to Theta and Delta Leonis together. Leo is one of the oldest recognized constellations, associated with the Nemean Lion slain by Hercules. The star has been part of the Lion figure since Babylonian and Egyptian times.

Fun Facts

Theta Leo was used by the ancient Egyptians as a calendar star — its heliacal rising helped mark important agricultural dates. The star's white color and position make it a useful stepping-stone between the Sickle asterism and the tail star Denebola.