The AsterNym star registry
Rastaban
Rastaban: the yellow star of Draco
yellow · Draco · β Dra
Rastaban is a yellow star in the constellation Draco, 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. Rastaban 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
Rastaban at a glance
- Constellation
- Draco
- Other name
- β Dra
- Catalogue number
- HIP 85670
- Distance
- ≈ 380 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 2.79 naked-eye
- Star type
- G2 II
- Colour
- yellow
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 17h 30m 26s
- Declination
- +52° 18′ 05″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Rastaban dedication represent?
Rastaban 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 Draco in the sky.”
Where can you see Rastaban?
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 38°S.
Rastaban belongs to Draco.
Dedicate Rastaban to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Rastaban dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Rastaban's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Rastaban keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Rastaban
- Is Rastaban the brightest star?
- Rastaban shines at magnitude 2.79 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Rastaban?
- Rastaban is approximately 380 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 380 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Rastaban?
- Rastaban is part of Draco.
- Can everyone see Rastaban?
- 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 38°S.
- Is dedicating Rastaban an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Rastaban 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.