The AsterNym star registry
Rukbat
Rukbat: the blue-white star of Sagittarius
blue-white · Sagittarius · α Sgr
Rukbat is a blue-white star — the colour of the hottest, youngest suns in the constellation Sagittarius, 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. Rukbat 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
Rukbat at a glance
- Constellation
- Sagittarius
- Other name
- α Sgr
- Catalogue number
- HIP 95347
- Distance
- ≈ 182 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3.96 naked-eye
- Star type
- B8V
- Colour
- blue-white
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 19h 23m 53s
- Declination
- −40° 36′ 57″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Rukbat dedication represent?
Rukbat 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 Sagittarius in the sky.”
Where can you see Rukbat?
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 49°N.
Rukbat belongs to Sagittarius.
Dedicate Rukbat to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Rukbat dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Rukbat's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Rukbat keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Rukbat
- Is Rukbat the brightest star?
- Rukbat shines at magnitude 3.96 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Rukbat?
- Rukbat is approximately 182 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 182 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Rukbat?
- Rukbat is part of Sagittarius.
- Can everyone see Rukbat?
- 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 49°N.
- Is dedicating Rukbat an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Rukbat 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.