The AsterNym star registry
Alsephina
Alsephina: the white star of Vela
white · Vela · δ Vel
Alsephina is a white star, burning hotter than our own Sun in the constellation Vela, 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. Alsephina 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
Alsephina at a glance
- Constellation
- Vela
- Other name
- δ Vel
- Catalogue number
- HIP 42913
- Distance
- ≈ 80 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 1.96 naked-eye
- Star type
- A1 V
- Colour
- white
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 08h 44m 43s
- Declination
- −54° 42′ 31″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Alsephina dedication represent?
Alsephina 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 Vela in the sky.”
Where can you see Alsephina?
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 35°N.
Alsephina belongs to Vela.
Dedicate Alsephina to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Alsephina dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Alsephina's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Alsephina keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Alsephina
- Is Alsephina the brightest star?
- Alsephina shines at magnitude 1.96 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Alsephina?
- Alsephina is approximately 80 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 80 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Alsephina?
- Alsephina is part of Vela.
- Can everyone see Alsephina?
- 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 35°N.
- Is dedicating Alsephina an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Alsephina 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.