Kappa Arae — Star in Ara
Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
5.23
Spectral Type
G8III
giant
Star Color
Orange
(B-V 1.06)
Distance
109 ly
3How easy to spot?
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| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Medium | Hard+ | Hard |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Easy
Medium
Hard
Very hard
Impossible
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Best season
May – Jul
(peak: Jun)
5Survey Image
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Explore
6
Size Comparison
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7
Compare Stars
8
Spectral Classification
9
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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10
Stellar Lifecycle
11
Blackbody Spectrum
12
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
13
Stellar Fusion
Discover
14
Light Travel Time Machine
15
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.
Explore Nightbase
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1919 eclipse expedition confirming general relativity; first theory of stellar interiors; the Eddington limit
Biography
The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram — Reading Stars Like a Map
The HR diagram turns the night sky into a physics map: every named star has a spot, every spot tells you mass, age, and fate. A guide for amateur observers.
Article
Ara
Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.
Constellation
