About Phaet
Description
Phact is a blue-white star of spectral type B7IVe at magnitude 2.64, the brightest star in Columba (the Dove). Located about 268 light-years from Earth, it has a luminosity of roughly 1,000 times solar. It is a rapidly rotating Be star with a circumstellar gas disk.
Observing Tips
Phact lies south of Lepus and Orion, visible from latitudes south of about 46°N. It is the brightest star in the faint constellation Columba. Best observed January through March when it is highest above the southern horizon.
History
The name Phact comes from the Arabic 'al-fakhita,' meaning 'the ring dove.' Columba was created by Petrus Plancius in the late 16th century and represents the dove that Noah sent from the Ark to find dry land.
Fun Facts
Columba is one of several constellations created from stars that were formerly considered part of Canis Major. Phact's Be-star disk causes small, irregular brightness variations as the disk evolves over time.
Observe
1Physical Properties
2Position & Identifiers
3How easy to spot?
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
5Survey Image
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Explore
7
Size Comparison
8
Compare Stars
9
Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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
Discover
15Stellar Notes
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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