The AsterNym star registry
Rasalnaqa
Rasalnaqa: the blue-white star of Andromeda
blue-white · Andromeda · ι And
Rasalnaqa is a blue-white star — the colour of the hottest, youngest suns in the constellation Andromeda, 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. Rasalnaqa 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
Rasalnaqa at a glance
- Constellation
- Andromeda
- Other name
- ι And
- Catalogue number
- HIP 116631
- Distance
- ≈ 499 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 4.29 naked-eye
- Star type
- B8V
- Colour
- blue-white
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 23h 38m 08s
- Declination
- +43° 16′ 05″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Rasalnaqa dedication represent?
Rasalnaqa 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 Andromeda in the sky.”
Where can you see Rasalnaqa?
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 47°S.
Rasalnaqa belongs to Andromeda.
Dedicate Rasalnaqa to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Rasalnaqa dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Rasalnaqa's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Rasalnaqa keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Rasalnaqa
- Is Rasalnaqa the brightest star?
- Rasalnaqa shines at magnitude 4.29 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Rasalnaqa?
- Rasalnaqa is approximately 499 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 499 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Rasalnaqa?
- Rasalnaqa is part of Andromeda.
- Can everyone see Rasalnaqa?
- 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 47°S.
- Is dedicating Rasalnaqa an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Rasalnaqa 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.