Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.
A dedicated star
Praecipua
warm orange · Leo Minor · 46 LMi
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, Praecipua becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.
Praecipua at a glance
- Constellation
- Leo Minor
- Other name
- 46 LMi
- Catalogue number
- HIP 53229
- Distance
- ≈ 95 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3.79 naked-eye
- Star type
- K0III-IV
- Colour
- warm orange
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 10h 53m 19s
- Declination
- +34° 12′ 54″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
Where can you see Praecipua?
It is easy to see from most of the Northern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower southern latitudes, but it never rises for observers south of about latitude 56°S.
Praecipua belongs to Leo Minor, where it is the brightest star.
Frequently asked questions about Praecipua
- Is Praecipua the brightest star?
- Praecipua shines at magnitude 3.79 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Praecipua?
- Praecipua is approximately 95 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 95 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Praecipua?
- Praecipua is the brightest star in Leo Minor.
- Can everyone see Praecipua?
- It is easy to see from most of the Northern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower southern latitudes, but it never rises for observers south of about latitude 56°S.
- Is dedicating Praecipua an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Praecipua 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.