Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.
A dedicated star
Aniara
warm orange · Ursa Major · HD 102956
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, Aniara becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.
Aniara at a glance
- Constellation
- Ursa Major
- Other name
- HD 102956
- Catalogue number
- HIP 57820
- Distance
- ≈ 412 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 7.86 telescope
- Star type
- K0III
- Colour
- warm orange
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 11h 51m 23s
- Declination
- +57° 38′ 27″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
Where can you see Aniara?
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 32°S.
Aniara belongs to Ursa Major.
Frequently asked questions about Aniara
- Is Aniara the brightest star?
- Aniara shines at magnitude 7.86 — a binocular-and-telescope star, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Aniara?
- Aniara is approximately 412 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 412 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Aniara?
- Aniara is part of Ursa Major.
- Can everyone see Aniara?
- 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 32°S.
- Is dedicating Aniara an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Aniara 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.