Kappa Draconis — Star in Draco
Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
3.87
Range
3.82 - 4.01
Variable Type
Gamma Cassiopeiae (Eruptive Be Star)
Spectral Type
B5IIIe
bright giant
Star Color
Blue-white
(B-V -0.13)
Distance
489 ly
2Position & Identifiers
RA
12h 33m 29.0s
Dec
+69° 47' 18.0"
Constellation
Draco
(Dra)
HR
4787
HIP
61281
HD
109387
SAO
7593
Bayer
Kappa
Flamsteed
5 Dra
Variable ID
Kap Dra
Querying VizieR catalog...
3How easy to spot?
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| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Easy | Medium+ | Medium+ |
| 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
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Best season
Feb – Apr
(peak: Mar)
5Survey Image
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7
Size Comparison
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8
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9
Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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11
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
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15Stellar Notes
Gamma Cas 3.82 - 4.10V. H alpha and H beta emission vary period about 30d. H alpha profile changes in 1 min. or less.
0.890384d, K 22.54k/s, V0 -10.97k/s, asini 0.275. The orbit has been questioned and the period presumed to be | rotational rather than orbital.
Shell star. Excess IR emission.
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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Article
Draco
Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.
Constellation
