The AsterNym star registry
Aldhanab
Aldhanab: the blue-white star of Grus
blue-white · Grus · γ Gru
Aldhanab is a blue-white star — the colour of the hottest, youngest suns in the constellation Grus, one of the few thousand stars bright enough to carry an officially recognised name. On a dark, clear night you can find it with your own eyes.
Most stars in the sky are anonymous points of light. Aldhanab is not — it has held a name across generations of sky-watchers, which makes it a rare thing to attach a name of your own to.
Real star · Personal dedication · Recorded in the AsterNym registry
See what a dedicated page looks like — preview
Aldhanab at a glance
- Constellation
- Grus
- Other name
- γ Gru
- Catalogue number
- HIP 108085
- Distance
- ≈ 211 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3.00 naked-eye
- Star type
- B8III
- Colour
- blue-white
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 21h 53m 56s
- Declination
- −37° 21′ 53″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Aldhanab dedication represent?
Aldhanab is especially meaningful for someone who:
- · Deserves something older than any gift shop
- · Marks a beginning, an anniversary or a promise
- · Is remembered every time you look up
- · Has a light you want recorded somewhere permanent
Dedication idea
“For the one I think of when I find Grus in the sky.”
Where can you see Aldhanab?
It is easy to see from much of the Southern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower northern latitudes, but it never rises for observers north of about latitude 53°N.
Aldhanab belongs to Grus.
Dedicate Aldhanab to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Aldhanab dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Aldhanab's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Aldhanab keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Aldhanab
- Is Aldhanab the brightest star?
- Aldhanab shines at magnitude 3.00 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Aldhanab?
- Aldhanab is approximately 211 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 211 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Aldhanab?
- Aldhanab is part of Grus.
- Can everyone see Aldhanab?
- It is easy to see from much of the Southern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower northern latitudes, but it never rises for observers north of about latitude 53°N.
- Is dedicating Aldhanab an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Aldhanab keeps its internationally recognised astronomical name. An AsterNym dedication records your personal name and message in the AsterNym registry without changing the star's scientific identity.