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Theta Aquilae — Star in Aquila

Magnitude 3.2m Star Aquila (Aql) Visible
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About Theta Aql

Description

Theta Aquilae is a blue-white giant of spectral type B9.5III at magnitude 3.23 in Aquila. Located about 287 light-years from Earth, it has a luminosity of roughly 255 times solar. It is a spectroscopic binary. Theta Aql lies in the tail region of the Eagle, south of Altair.

Observing Tips

Theta Aql lies south of Altair in the tail of Aquila. It is a white star in the summer Milky Way. Best observed June through November when Aquila is prominent in the evening sky.

History

Theta Aquilae has no widely used traditional name. Aquila is an ancient constellation associated with the eagle that carried Zeus's thunderbolts in Greek mythology.

Fun Facts

Aquila lies in the richest part of the summer Milky Way, and Theta Aql sits in a particularly star-rich region that is spectacular in binoculars.

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 3.23
Spectral Type B9IV subgiant
Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.07)
Distance 286 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 20h 11m 18.3s
Dec -00° 49' 17.0"
Constellation Aquila (Aql)
HR 7710
HIP 99473
HD 191692
SAO 144150
Bayer Theta
Flamsteed 65 Aql

3How easy to spot?

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Equipment Bortle 3 Bortle 4 Bortle 5
Naked eye Easy Easy Medium+
50mm finder Easy Easy Easy
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 Jun – Aug (peak: Jul)

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

13

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.

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Stellar Fusion

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15Stellar Notes

17.1243d, K 51.0k/s, V0 -27.9k/s, msin3i 0.742, asini 9.52.
In reflection nebula.
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Light Travel Time Machine

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Relativistic Travel

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