The AsterNym star registry
Leepwal
Leepwal: the blue-white star of Centaurus
blue-white · Centaurus · ζ Cen
Leepwal is a blue-white star — the colour of the hottest, youngest suns 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. Leepwal 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
Leepwal at a glance
- Constellation
- Centaurus
- Other name
- ζ Cen
- Catalogue number
- HIP 68002
- Distance
- ≈ 382 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 2.55 naked-eye
- Star type
- B2.5IV
- Colour
- blue-white
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 13h 55m 32s
- Declination
- −47° 17′ 18″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Leepwal dedication represent?
Leepwal 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 Leepwal?
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 43°N.
Leepwal belongs to Centaurus.
Dedicate Leepwal to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Leepwal dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Leepwal's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Leepwal keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Leepwal
- Is Leepwal the brightest star?
- Leepwal shines at magnitude 2.55 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Leepwal?
- Leepwal is approximately 382 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 382 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Leepwal?
- Leepwal is part of Centaurus.
- Can everyone see Leepwal?
- 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 43°N.
- Is dedicating Leepwal an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Leepwal 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.