The AsterNym star registry
Kaus Borealis
Kaus Borealis: the warm orange star of Sagittarius
warm orange · Sagittarius · λ Sgr
Kaus Borealis is a warm orange giant, far along its stellar life in the constellation Sagittarius, 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. Kaus Borealis 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
Kaus Borealis at a glance
- Constellation
- Sagittarius
- Other name
- λ Sgr
- Catalogue number
- HIP 90496
- Distance
- ≈ 78 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 2.81 naked-eye
- Star type
- K1 III
- Colour
- warm orange
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 18h 28m 31s
- Declination
- −25° 25′ 18″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Kaus Borealis dedication represent?
Kaus Borealis 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 Sagittarius in the sky.”
Where can you see Kaus Borealis?
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 65°N.
Kaus Borealis belongs to Sagittarius.
Dedicate Kaus Borealis to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Kaus Borealis dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Kaus Borealis's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Kaus Borealis keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Kaus Borealis
- Is Kaus Borealis the brightest star?
- Kaus Borealis shines at magnitude 2.81 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Kaus Borealis?
- Kaus Borealis is approximately 78 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 78 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Kaus Borealis?
- Kaus Borealis is part of Sagittarius.
- Can everyone see Kaus Borealis?
- 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 65°N.
- Is dedicating Kaus Borealis an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Kaus Borealis 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.