When is the best time to observe Hassaleh in Becvar?

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

Where is Hassaleh in Becvar located in the sky?

Hassaleh in Becvar lies in the constellation Auriga at right ascension 04h 57m and declination +33° 10′.

What telescope do I need to see Hassaleh in Becvar?

At magnitude 2.7, Hassaleh in Becvar is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Hassaleh in Becvar — Star in Auriga

HIP 23015; Iota Aurigae; 3 Aurigae

Magnitude 2.7^m Star Auriga (Aur) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

About Hassaleh in Becvar

Description

Hassaleh is an orange giant of spectral type K3II at magnitude 2.69 in Auriga. Located about 490 light-years from Earth, it is a fairly luminous evolved star with roughly 2,600 times the Sun's luminosity and a diameter about 130 times solar. Hassaleh forms part of the small triangle of stars known as 'the Kids' (Haedi) near Capella.

Observing Tips

Look for Hassaleh as part of a small triangle of stars just south of brilliant Capella — this is the Kids asterism (Iota, Eta, and Zeta Aurigae). Its warm orange color contrasts with the blue-white of Eta Aurigae nearby. Best observed from November through April when Auriga rides high in the winter sky.

History

The name Hassaleh is derived from the Arabic 'al-'anz,' meaning 'the she-goat,' though this name is more commonly associated with nearby Epsilon Aur. The 'Kids' asterism near Capella (the Mother Goat) represents baby goats in the mythological story. In medieval European astronomy, the Kids were considered important weather indicators.

Fun Facts

The three Kids stars near Capella (Iota, Eta, and Epsilon Aurigae) are all very different types of stars despite appearing close together — Iota is a distant orange giant, Eta is a hot B-type star, and Epsilon is one of the most mysterious eclipsing binaries in the sky with a dark companion of unknown nature.