The AsterNym star registry
Kulou
Kulou: the white star of Centaurus
white · Centaurus · ι Cen
Kulou is a white star, burning hotter than our own Sun in the constellation Centaurus, 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. Kulou 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
Kulou at a glance
- Constellation
- Centaurus
- Other name
- ι Cen
- Catalogue number
- HIP 65109
- Distance
- ≈ 59 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 2.73 naked-eye
- Star type
- A2V
- Colour
- white
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 13h 20m 36s
- Declination
- −36° 42′ 44″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Kulou dedication represent?
Kulou 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 Centaurus in the sky.”
Where can you see Kulou?
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 53°N.
Kulou belongs to Centaurus.
Dedicate Kulou to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Kulou dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Kulou's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Kulou keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Kulou
- Is Kulou the brightest star?
- Kulou shines at magnitude 2.73 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Kulou?
- Kulou is approximately 59 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 59 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Kulou?
- Kulou is part of Centaurus.
- Can everyone see Kulou?
- 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 53°N.
- Is dedicating Kulou an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Kulou 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.