The AsterNym star registry
Arkab Prior
Arkab Prior: the blue-white star of Sagittarius
blue-white · Sagittarius · β1 Sgr
Arkab Prior is a blue-white star — the colour of the hottest, youngest suns in the constellation Sagittarius, 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. Arkab Prior 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
Arkab Prior at a glance
- Constellation
- Sagittarius
- Other name
- β1 Sgr
- Catalogue number
- HIP 95241
- Distance
- ≈ 314 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3.96 naked-eye
- Star type
- B9V
- Colour
- blue-white
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 19h 22m 38s
- Declination
- −44° 27′ 32″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Arkab Prior dedication represent?
Arkab Prior 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 Sagittarius in the sky.”
Where can you see Arkab Prior?
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 46°N.
Arkab Prior belongs to Sagittarius.
Dedicate Arkab Prior to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Arkab Prior dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Arkab Prior's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Arkab Prior keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Arkab Prior
- Is Arkab Prior the brightest star?
- Arkab Prior shines at magnitude 3.96 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Arkab Prior?
- Arkab Prior is approximately 314 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 314 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Arkab Prior?
- Arkab Prior is part of Sagittarius.
- Can everyone see Arkab Prior?
- 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 46°N.
- Is dedicating Arkab Prior an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Arkab Prior 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.