Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.
A dedicated star
Chara
golden · Canes Venatici · β CVn
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, Chara becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.
Chara at a glance
- Constellation
- Canes Venatici
- Other name
- β CVn
- Catalogue number
- HIP 61317
- Distance
- ≈ 28 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 4.24 naked-eye
- Star type
- G0V
- Colour
- golden
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 12h 33m 45s
- Declination
- +41° 21′ 27″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
Where can you see Chara?
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 49°S.
Chara belongs to Canes Venatici.
Frequently asked questions about Chara
- Is Chara the brightest star?
- Chara shines at magnitude 4.24 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Chara?
- Chara is approximately 28 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 28 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Chara?
- Chara is part of Canes Venatici.
- Can everyone see Chara?
- 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 49°S.
- Is dedicating Chara an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Chara 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.