Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.
A dedicated star
Eltanin
warm orange · Draco · γ Dra
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, Eltanin becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.
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.
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.
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.