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Giausar — Star in Draco

HIP 56211; Lambda Draconis; 1 Draconis

Magnitude 3.8m Star Draco (Dra) Visible
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About Giausar

Description

Giausar, Lambda Draconis, is an M-type red giant of spectral class M0 III-IIIa Ca1 about 333 light-years away. It shines at magnitude 3.84 and is a semiregular variable with small-amplitude pulsations. Giausar marks the tip of the Dragon's tail, near the Ursa Major border. Its cool surface temperature gives it a strikingly warm amber color.

Observing Tips

Giausar marks the westernmost star of Draco's winding body, near the end of the dragon's tail. In binoculars its deep orange color stands out against the paler stars nearby. Circumpolar from mid-northern latitudes. Best observed March through July.

History

The name Giausar comes from the Arabic "al-jawzahr" or possibly from an older astronomical term for the lunar nodes. The IAU adopted the name in 2017.

Fun Facts

Giausar is one of the cooler M-type giants in the sky — its surface temperature of about 3,950 K is nearly 2,000 K cooler than the Sun's. Semiregular variables like Giausar are ideal for long-term amateur monitoring projects.

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 3.84
Range 3.77 - 3.86
Variable Type Semi-Regular Variable
Spectral Type M0III-IIIa Ca1 giant
Star Color Red (B-V 1.62)
Distance 333 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 11h 31m 24.2s
Dec +69° 19' 52.0"
Constellation Draco (Dra)
HR 4434
HIP 56211
HD 100029
SAO 15532
Bayer Lambda
Flamsteed 1 Dra
SIMBAD Wikipedia

3How easy to spot?

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Equipment Bortle 3 Bortle 4 Bortle 5
Naked eye Easy Medium+ Medium+
50mm finder Easy Easy Easy
150mm scope Easy Easy Easy
Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

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Best season Feb – Apr (peak: Mar)

5Survey Image

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Size Comparison

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Spectral Classification

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Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

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Stellar Lifecycle

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Blackbody Spectrum

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Stellar Absorption Spectrum

Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.

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Stellar Fusion

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15Stellar Notes

SR, 3.78 - 3.86V, about 1100d.
Gianfar; Giansar; Gaiusar; Giauzar; Juza.
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Light Travel Time Machine

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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.

NGC 3516
Medium
Bright spiral galaxy
Galaxy mag 11.6 3.8° Ursa Major
VY UMa
Medium
Semi-regular variable, range 5.9–6.5
Variable Star mag 6.00 4.7° Ursa Major
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