Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.
A dedicated star
Alruba
white · Draco · HR 6618
Dedicated to
Maya
by Her sister, June · August 12, 2026
“You were born on the brightest night of my life. Whenever you feel small, remember: there is a star that has carried your name since before you could read it — and it is still up there, still burning, still yours.”
This dedication
- Dedicated to
- Maya
- Dedicated by
- Her sister, June
- Recorded
- August 12, 2026
- Held until
- August 12, 2027
When this dedication ends, Alruba becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.
Alruba at a glance
- Constellation
- Draco
- Other name
- HR 6618
- Catalogue number
- HIP 86782
- Distance
- ≈ 533 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 5.75 naked-eye
- Star type
- A2V
- Colour
- white
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 17h 43m 59s
- Declination
- +53° 48′ 06″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
Where can you see Alruba?
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.
Alruba belongs to Draco.
Frequently asked questions about Alruba
- Is Alruba the brightest star?
- Alruba shines at magnitude 5.75 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Alruba?
- Alruba is approximately 533 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 533 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Alruba?
- Alruba is part of Draco.
- Can everyone see Alruba?
- 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 Alruba an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Alruba 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.