Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.

A dedicated star

Minchir

warm orange · Hydra · σ Hya

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, Minchir becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.

Minchir at a glance

Constellation
Hydra
Other name
σ Hya
Catalogue number
HIP 42402
Distance
373 light-years
Brightness
Magnitude 4.45 naked-eye
Star type
K2III
Colour
warm orange
Best seen from
Almost everywhere on Earth
Right ascension
08h 38m 45s
Declination
+03° 20′ 29″

Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.

Where can you see Minchir?

It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.

Minchir belongs to Hydra.

Frequently asked questions about Minchir

Is Minchir the brightest star?
Minchir shines at magnitude 4.45 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
How far away is Minchir?
Minchir is approximately 373 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 373 years ago.
Which constellation contains Minchir?
Minchir is part of Hydra.
Can everyone see Minchir?
It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.
Is dedicating Minchir an official astronomical renaming?
No. Minchir 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.

Explore nearby stars

AsterNym dedications are personal commemorative records: they are not recognized by the International Astronomical Union, do not change scientific catalogue names, and do not confer ownership of a star.