When is the best time to observe Haedus?

Haedus is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Haedus located in the sky?

Haedus lies in the constellation Auriga at right ascension 05h 07m and declination +41° 14′.

What telescope do I need to see Haedus?

At magnitude 3.2, Haedus is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Haedus — Star in Auriga

HIP 23767; Eta Aurigae; 10 Aurigae

Magnitude 3.2^m Star Auriga (Aur) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

About Haedus

Description

Hoedus II (Eta Aurigae) is a blue main-sequence star of spectral type B3V at magnitude 3.17 in Auriga. Located about 219 light-years from Earth, it has a surface temperature of roughly 17,000 K and a luminosity about 955 times solar. It is one of the three 'Kids' stars near Capella, forming a small triangle with Iota and Zeta Aurigae.

Observing Tips

Look for Eta Aur as part of the Kids asterism just south of brilliant Capella. It appears as a blue-white star, contrasting with the orange Iota Aur nearby. The Kids form a small, attractive triangle visible in the same binocular field as Capella. Best observed from November through April during Auriga's evening prominence.

History

The Latin name Hoedus II means 'the second kid' (baby goat), paired with Zeta Aur (Hoedus I). Together with Epsilon Aur, these stars have been called 'the Kids' since ancient Roman times, carried by the mythological she-goat Capella. Ptolemy and other classical astronomers described them as stars near the Charioteer's hand.

Fun Facts

Despite their close apparent proximity, the three Kids stars are at very different distances — Eta Aur at 219 light-years, Zeta Aur at about 790 light-years, and Epsilon Aur at roughly 2,000 light-years. Their grouping is purely a line-of-sight effect.