Enif — Star in Pegasus
HIP 107315; Epsilon Pegasi; 8 Pegasi
About Enif
Description
Enif is an orange supergiant of spectral type K2Ib at magnitude 2.39, the brightest star in Pegasus. Located about 670 light-years from Earth, it has a luminosity of roughly 6,700 times solar. Enif marks the nose or muzzle of the winged horse. It is a slow irregular variable and has been observed to produce rare flare events.
Observing Tips
Enif lies well west of the Great Square of Pegasus, marking the horse's muzzle. Its warm orange color is noticeable to the naked eye. The globular cluster M15 lies just 4 degrees to the northwest, making Enif a useful guide star. Best observed August through December.
History
The name Enif comes from the Arabic 'anf al-faras,' meaning 'the nose of the horse.' In 1972, Enif produced a remarkable flare event, briefly brightening by nearly 3 magnitudes to magnitude 0.7 — making it momentarily the brightest star in Pegasus by a wide margin.
Fun Facts
Enif's 1972 flare remains one of the most dramatic brightness eruptions ever observed in a supergiant star. For a few minutes, this normally modest star became one of the 20 brightest in the sky. The cause remains poorly understood.
Observe
1Physical Properties
2Position & Identifiers
3How easy to spot?
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
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5Survey Image
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Explore
7
Size Comparison
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Compare Stars
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Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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Stellar Lifecycle
12
Blackbody Spectrum
13
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
14
Stellar Fusion
Discover
15Stellar Notes
16
Light Travel Time Machine
17
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.
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