α Sextantis


α Sextantis is the brightest star in the constellation Sextans with an apparent magnitude of 4.49 mag. Nevertheless, it only appears to the naked eye as a whitish shimmering faint star.

According to measurements by the Gaia spacecraft, its distance from Earth is about 426 light-years (ly). However, this value is associated with a considerable measurement uncertainty. The probe Hipparcos measured a much shorter distance of 283 light-years.

α Sextantis
Constellation Sextans
Right ascension 10h 07m 56.28s
Declination -00° 22′ 18″
Apparent magnitude 4.49 mag
Distance (426 ± 22) ly
Bayer designation α Sextantis
Bright Star Catalogue HR 3981
Hipparcos Catalogue HIP 49641
SAO Catalogue SAO 137366
Position of α Sextantis in the constellation Sextans. Chart: International Astronomical Union in collaboration with the magazine Sky & Telescope