The AsterNym star registry
Copernicus
Copernicus: the golden star of Cancer
golden · Cancer · 55 Cnc
Copernicus is a golden star, warmer-toned than our Sun in the constellation Cancer, 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. Copernicus 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
Copernicus at a glance
- Constellation
- Cancer
- Other name
- 55 Cnc
- Catalogue number
- HIP 43587
- Distance
- ≈ 40 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 5.95 naked-eye
- Star type
- G8V
- Colour
- golden
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 08h 52m 36s
- Declination
- +28° 19′ 51″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Copernicus dedication represent?
Copernicus 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 Cancer in the sky.”
Where can you see Copernicus?
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 62°S.
Copernicus belongs to Cancer.
Dedicate Copernicus to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Copernicus dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Copernicus's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Copernicus keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Copernicus
- Is Copernicus the brightest star?
- Copernicus shines at magnitude 5.95 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Copernicus?
- Copernicus is approximately 40 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 40 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Copernicus?
- Copernicus is part of Cancer.
- Can everyone see Copernicus?
- 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 62°S.
- Is dedicating Copernicus an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Copernicus 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.