When is the best time to observe Scheat?

Scheat is best observed from July through September, with peak visibility during August when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Scheat located in the sky?

Scheat lies in the constellation Aquarius at right ascension 22h 55m and declination -15° 49′.

What telescope do I need to see Scheat?

At magnitude 3.3, Scheat is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Scheat — Star in Aquarius

HIP 113136; Delta Aquarii; 76 Aquarii

Magnitude 3.3^m Star Aquarius (Aqr) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

About Scheat

Description

Delta Aquarii (also called Skat or Scheat) is a white main-sequence star of spectral type A3V at magnitude 3.27 in Aquarius. Located about 160 light-years from Earth, it has a luminosity of roughly 26 times solar and a surface temperature of about 8,600 K. It is one of the brighter stars in the otherwise faint constellation Aquarius.

Observing Tips

Delta Aqr lies in the southern part of Aquarius, below the distinctive Y-shaped Water Jar asterism. It is a white star of moderate brightness in a relatively sparse area of sky. Best observed from September through December when Aquarius is well-placed in the evening sky. It helps define the 'stream of water' flowing from the Water Bearer.

History

The name Skat comes from the Arabic 'al-saq,' meaning 'the shin' or 'the leg,' referring to its position in the constellation figure. The alternate name Scheat (shared confusingly with Beta Pegasi) also derives from Arabic. In ancient times, the stars of Aquarius were associated with the rainy season and flooding of the Nile.

Fun Facts

Delta Aqr shares its alternate name Scheat with the much brighter Beta Pegasi, which has caused confusion in star catalogs for centuries. The star lies near the radiant point of the Delta Aquariid meteor shower, one of the best meteor showers visible from southern latitudes, active in late July and early August.