When is the best time to observe Xi Sagittarii?

Xi Sagittarii is best observed from May through July, with peak visibility during June when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Xi Sagittarii located in the sky?

Xi Sagittarii lies in the constellation Sagittarius at right ascension 18h 58m and declination -21° 06′.

What telescope do I need to see Xi Sagittarii?

At magnitude 3.5, Xi Sagittarii is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Xi Sagittarii — Star in Sagittarius

HIP 93085; Xi Sagittarii; 37 Sagittarii

Magnitude 3.5^m Star Sagittarius (Sgr) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

About Xi Sgr

Description

Xi Sagittarii is a G-K type bright giant of spectral class G8/K0 II/III about 364 light-years away in the western part of Sagittarius. It shines at magnitude 3.51 and has a mass of about 5 solar masses and a radius of about 30 Suns. Xi Sgr is a pulsating variable of small amplitude, cataloged among the long-period-pulsating post-AGB candidates.

Observing Tips

Xi Sgr sits in the rich Milky Way region of northern Sagittarius, near the boundary with Corona Australis. A binocular sweep of the area reveals dozens of fainter companions. The star's warm yellow-orange color stands out against the crowded stellar background. Best observed June through October from mid-northern latitudes; higher from southern sites.

History

Xi Sgr has no widely-used traditional name. It retains its Bayer designation in current IAU catalogs.

Fun Facts

Xi Sgr's post-main-sequence evolution is actively under study via asteroseismology — its small-amplitude pulsations encode information about the internal structure of an evolved intermediate-mass star. The star is thought to be on the asymptotic giant branch, approaching its final planetary-nebula phase.