Saclateni — Star in Auriga
HIP 23453; Zeta Aurigae; 8 Aurigae
About Saclateni
Description
Saclateni, Zeta Aurigae, is a famous eclipsing binary — a K-type bright giant of spectral class K4 II paired with a B-type main-sequence companion about 781 light-years away. Every 2.66 years, the B-star passes behind the giant and its atmosphere, producing an extended chromospheric-eclipse event lasting about 38 days. Combined magnitude is 3.75.
Observing Tips
Saclateni is near Almaaz (Epsilon Aur) in the Auriga pentagon — together the two form the "Kids" asterism. The eclipses are shallow (about 0.15 magnitudes) but detectable with careful photometry. Best observed November through March.
History
The name Saclateni comes from the Arabic "al-sa'd al-thāniyāt," meaning "the second of the Kids" — a reference to its pairing with Epsilon Aur. The IAU adopted the name in 2017.
Fun Facts
Zeta Aur was one of the first eclipsing binaries where the atmosphere of a giant star could be analyzed spectroscopically during ingress and egress — as the B-star's light passes through successively deeper layers of the giant's outer atmosphere. These observations pioneered the study of stellar atmospheres in giants.
Observe
1Physical Properties
2Position & Identifiers
3How easy to spot?
| 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 |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
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5Survey Image
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Explore
7
Size Comparison
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Compare Stars
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Spectral Classification
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Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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Stellar Lifecycle
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Blackbody Spectrum
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Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
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Stellar Fusion
Discover
15Stellar Notes
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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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