Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
5.34
Range
5.18 - 5.99
Period
51 days
Variable Type
Semi-Regular Variable (Late-type Giant)
Spectral Type
M5III
Star Color
Red
(B-V 1.55)
Distance
142 ly
2Position & Identifiers
RA
21h 28m 44.9s
Dec
-69° 30' 19.0"
Constellation
Pavo
(Pav)
HR
8196
HIP
106044
HD
203881
Variable ID
SX Pav
Querying VizieR catalog...
3How easy to follow?
Magnitude
5.4 – 6.0 mag
Amplitude
0.5 mag
Period
50.87 d
Type
SRB
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| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | V. hard+ | V. hard | V. hard |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Medium | Medium | Hard+ |
| 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
Jul – Sep
(peak: Aug)
5Light Curve
6Comparison Stars for SX Pav (5.4–6.0)
Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)
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Explore
7
Size Comparison
Querying VizieR for stellar data…
8
Compare Stars
9
Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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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
SRb 5.43 - 5.97V, about 50d.
16
Light Travel Time Machine
17
Relativistic Travel
Survey Image
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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
Pavo
Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.
Constellation
