Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.
A dedicated star
Heng
blue-white · Centaurus · ν Cen
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, Heng becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.
Heng at a glance
- Constellation
- Centaurus
- Other name
- ν Cen
- Catalogue number
- HIP 67464
- Distance
- ≈ 437 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3.39 naked-eye
- Star type
- B2IV
- Colour
- blue-white
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 13h 49m 30s
- Declination
- −41° 41′ 16″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
Where can you see Heng?
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 48°N.
Heng belongs to Centaurus.
Frequently asked questions about Heng
- Is Heng the brightest star?
- Heng shines at magnitude 3.39 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Heng?
- Heng is approximately 437 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 437 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Heng?
- Heng is part of Centaurus.
- Can everyone see Heng?
- 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 48°N.
- Is dedicating Heng an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Heng 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.