The AsterNym star registry

Ancha

Ancha: the golden star of Aquarius

golden · Aquarius · θ Aqr

Ancha is a golden star, warmer-toned than our Sun in the constellation Aquarius, 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. Ancha 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

Ancha at a glance

Constellation
Aquarius
Other name
θ Aqr
Catalogue number
HIP 110003
Distance
187 light-years
Brightness
Magnitude 4.17 naked-eye
Star type
G8III-IV
Colour
golden
Best seen from
Almost everywhere on Earth
Right ascension
22h 16m 50s
Declination
−07° 47′ 00″

Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.

What could a Ancha dedication represent?

Ancha 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 Aquarius in the sky.

Dedicate Ancha

Where can you see Ancha?

It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.

Ancha belongs to Aquarius.

Dedicate Ancha to someone who matters

A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.

Your Ancha dedication includes:

  • · Your chosen dedication name
  • · Your personal message
  • · Ancha's real astronomical coordinates
  • · A shareable dedication page
  • · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
  • · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation

Ancha keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.

Frequently asked questions about Ancha

Is Ancha the brightest star?
Ancha shines at magnitude 4.17 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
How far away is Ancha?
Ancha is approximately 187 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 187 years ago.
Which constellation contains Ancha?
Ancha is part of Aquarius.
Can everyone see Ancha?
It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.
Is dedicating Ancha an official astronomical renaming?
No. Ancha 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.

Explore nearby stars

AsterNym dedications are personal commemorative records: they are not recognized by the International Astronomical Union, do not change scientific catalogue names, and do not confer ownership of a star.