The AsterNym star registry
Eltanin
Eltanin: the warm orange star of Draco
warm orange · Draco · γ Dra
Eltanin is a warm orange giant, far along its stellar life in the constellation Draco, 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. Eltanin 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
Eltanin at a glance
- Constellation
- Draco
- Other name
- γ Dra
- Catalogue number
- HIP 87833
- Distance
- ≈ 154 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 2.23 naked-eye
- Star type
- K5 III
- Colour
- warm orange
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 17h 56m 36s
- Declination
- +51° 29′ 20″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Eltanin dedication represent?
Eltanin 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 Draco in the sky.”
Where can you see Eltanin?
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 39°S.
Eltanin belongs to Draco, where it is the brightest star.
Dedicate Eltanin to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Eltanin dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Eltanin's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Eltanin keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Eltanin
- Is Eltanin the brightest star?
- Eltanin shines at magnitude 2.23 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Eltanin?
- Eltanin is approximately 154 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 154 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Eltanin?
- Eltanin is the brightest star in Draco.
- Can everyone see Eltanin?
- 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 39°S.
- Is dedicating Eltanin an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Eltanin 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.