Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.
A dedicated star
Rukbat
blue-white · Sagittarius · α Sgr
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, Rukbat becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.
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.
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.
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.