Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
5.92
Range
5.85 - 6.68
Period
2.1 days
Variable Type
Eclipsing Binary (Algol-type)
Spectral Type
B8V
Star Color
Blue-white
(B-V -0.05)
2Position & Identifiers
RA
04h 38m 15.8s
Dec
+20° 41' 05.0"
Constellation
Taurus
(Tau)
HR
1471
HIP
21604
HD
29365
Variable ID
HU Tau
Querying VizieR catalog...
3How easy to follow?
Magnitude
5.9 – 6.7 mag
Amplitude
0.8 mag
Period
2.06 d
Type
EA/SD:
Sign in
and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | V. hard+ | V. hard | Imp. |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Medium+ | Medium+ | Medium+ |
Easy
Medium
Hard
Very hard
Impossible
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Best season
Oct – Dec
(peak: Nov)
5Light Curve
6Comparison Stars for HU Tau (5.9–6.7)
Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)
Loading comparison stars…
Explore
7
Size Comparison
Querying VizieR for stellar data…
8
Compare Stars
9
Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
Loading HR 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
EA 5.92 - 6.7V, 2.056302d, period possibly variable.
6.0, 7.5v, sep. 0.0004", 2.0563d, K 65.4k/s, V0 -2.3k/s, asini 1.85. Masses 4 and 1.2 solar.
Survey Image
Loading survey image…
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.
Explore Nightbase
Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.
Arthur Eddington
1919 eclipse expedition confirming general relativity; first theory of stellar interiors; the Eddington limit
Biography
Variable Stars — A Guide for Observers
A practical guide to visual observation of variable stars: estimating magnitudes, finding comparison stars, recording data, and contributing to science with AAVSO.
Article
Taurus
Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.
Constellation
