The AsterNym star registry
Brachium
Brachium: the deep red star of Libra
deep red · Libra · σ Lib
Brachium is a deep red star in the constellation Libra, 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. Brachium 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
Brachium at a glance
- Constellation
- Libra
- Other name
- σ Lib
- Catalogue number
- HIP 73714
- Distance
- ≈ 288 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3.25 naked-eye
- Star type
- M3/M4III
- Colour
- deep red
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 15h 04m 04s
- Declination
- −25° 16′ 55″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Brachium dedication represent?
Brachium 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 Libra in the sky.”
Where can you see Brachium?
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 65°N.
Brachium belongs to Libra.
Dedicate Brachium to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Brachium dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Brachium's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Brachium keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Brachium
- Is Brachium the brightest star?
- Brachium shines at magnitude 3.25 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Brachium?
- Brachium is approximately 288 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 288 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Brachium?
- Brachium is part of Libra.
- Can everyone see Brachium?
- 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 65°N.
- Is dedicating Brachium an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Brachium 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.