The AsterNym star registry
Alrakis
Alrakis: the yellow-white star of Draco
yellow-white · Draco · μ Dra
Alrakis is a yellow-white star, a near cousin of our own Sun's colour in the constellation Draco, 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. Alrakis 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
Alrakis at a glance
- Constellation
- Draco
- Other name
- μ Dra
- Catalogue number
- HIP 83608
- Distance
- ≈ 89 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 5.55 naked-eye
- Star type
- F5
- Colour
- yellow-white
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 17h 05m 20s
- Declination
- +54° 28′ 12″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Alrakis dedication represent?
Alrakis 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 Draco in the sky.”
Where can you see Alrakis?
It is easy to see from most of the Northern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower southern latitudes, but it never rises for observers south of about latitude 36°S.
Alrakis belongs to Draco.
Dedicate Alrakis to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Alrakis dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Alrakis's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Alrakis keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Alrakis
- Is Alrakis the brightest star?
- Alrakis shines at magnitude 5.55 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Alrakis?
- Alrakis is approximately 89 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 89 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Alrakis?
- Alrakis is part of Draco.
- Can everyone see Alrakis?
- It is easy to see from most of the Northern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower southern latitudes, but it never rises for observers south of about latitude 36°S.
- Is dedicating Alrakis an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Alrakis 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.