Aldebaran
Product information
Description
Aldebaran glows with a rich, orange-red hue in the face of the constellation Taurus. It stands out as a solitary beacon, marking the bull’s eye and offering a warm contrast to nearby blue-white stars.
Additional Information
- Constellation
- Taurus
- Spectral Type
- K5III
- Apparent Magnitude
- 0.87
- Distance (Light Years)
- 65.1
- Right Ascension
- 04h 35m 55.2s
- Declination
- +16° 30′ 33″
- Solar Masses
- 1.16
- Radius (Solar)
- 44.2
- Temperature (Kelvin)
- 3910
- Age (Million Years)
- 6500
Discovery
- Ancient Civilizations
- Greeks, Babylonians, Arabs, Hindus
- Historical Significance
- Aldebaran has been one of the most significant stars in ancient sky lore. As the brightest star in Taurus, it was used to mark the lunar month in Babylonian astronomy and was one of the four 'Royal Stars' of ancient Persia, representing the watcher of the East.
Cultural Significance
- Mythology
- In Greek mythology, Aldebaran represents the fiery eye of the bull, Taurus, charging across the sky. In Arabic tradition, it is called 'Al Dabaran' meaning 'the follower', as it follows the Pleiades across the sky.
- Navigation
- Its brightness and prominent position made Aldebaran a key navigational star for ancient mariners, especially in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter sky.
- Modern Reference
- Aldebaran frequently appears in science fiction, star charts, and astronomy education, and has been the namesake of spacecraft and planetary missions.
Notable Features
- Stellar Motion
- Aldebaran exhibits moderate proper motion and appears near the Hyades cluster, although it is not physically associated with it.
- Additional Fact
- As a red giant nearing the end of its life, Aldebaran has expanded dramatically and will eventually shed its outer layers to become a white dwarf.
User Dedications
- Dedications