List of brightest natural objects in the sky

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This is a list of the brightest natural objects in the sky. This list orders maximum apparent magnitudes from Earth, not anywhere else, and is meant for naked eye viewing. Individual stars without IAU approved names and multiple star systems are listed with their Bayer designations. This list does not include comets, man-made objects, or phenomena such as supernovae or clouds.

List[]

Apparent visual magnitudes of objects in the sky
Rank Maximum and/or combined apparent magnitude (V)[1][2][3] Object designation/name Object type Notes
Informal name Formal name[1]
1 −26.74[4] Sun Star Brightest star
2 −12.74[5] Moon Natural satellite Maximum brightness; brightest natural satellite
3 −4.8[6] Venus Planet Maximum brightness; brightest planet
5 −2.94[7] Jupiter Planet Maximum brightness
−2.94[8] Mars Planet Maximum brightness
6 −2.48[9] Mercury Planet Maximum brightness
7 −1.46 Sirius α Canis Majoris Binary star system Brightest night star
8 −0.62 Canopus α Carinae Star
9 −0.55[10] Saturn Planet Maximum brightness
10 −0.29[11] Rigil Kentaurus α Centauri AB Binary star system Part of a triple star system with Proxima Centauri
11 −0.05 Arcturus α Boötes Star
12 −0.02 Vega α Lyrae Star Maximum brightness
13 0 Betelgeuse α Orionis Star Maximum brightness
14 0.03 Capella α Aurigae Quadruple star system Maximum brightness; brightest quadruple star system
15 0.05[12] Rigel β Orionis Quadruple star system Maximum brightness
16 0.13[13] Large Magellanic Cloud Galaxy
17 0.37 Procyon α Canis Minoris Binary star system
18 0.4 Achernar α Eridani Binary star system Maximum brightness
19 0.61 Hadar β Centauri Triple star system Maximum brightness
20 0.7 Enif Star Maximum brightness
21 0.75 Aldebaran α Tauri Star Maximum brightness
22 0.76 Acrux α Crucis Triple star system
23 0.77 Altair Star Maximum brightness
24 0.88 Antares α Scorpii Binary star system Maximum brightness
25 0.95 Spica α Virginis Binary star system Maximum brightness
27 1.16 Pollux Star
1.16 Fomalhaut Star Part of a triple star system with TW Piscis Austrini and Fomalhaut C
28 1.21 Deneb Star Maximum brightness
29 1.23 Mimosa β Crucis Binary star system Maximum brightness
30 1.4 Regulus α Leonis Quadruple star system
31 1.5 Adhara ε Canis Majoris Binary star system
32 1.58 Castor α Geminorum Sextuple star system Brightest sextuple star system
34 1.59 Gacrux Star
1.59 Bellatrix Star Maximum brightness
35 1.6 γ Cassiopeiae Binary star system Maximum brightness
36 1.62 Shaula λ Scorpii Triple star system
37 1.64 Alnilam Star Maximum brightness
38 1.65 Elnath Star
39 1.67 Miaplacidus Star
40 1.73 Alnair Star
41 1.76 Alioth Star Maximum brightness
44 1.79 Mirfak Star
1.79 Alnitak ζ Orionis Triple star system
1.79 Dubhe α Ursae Majoris Binary star system Maximum brightness
45 1.81 γ Velorum Quadruple star system Maximum brightness
46 1.83 Wezen Star
48 1.85 Alkaid Star
1.85 Kaus Australis ε Sagittarii Binary star system
50 1.86 Polaris α Ursae Minoris Triple star system Maximum brightness
1.86 Dschubba δ Scorpii Binary star system Maximum brightness
51 1.862 Sargas θ Scorpii Binary star system
52 1.87[14] Small Magellanic Cloud Galaxy
53 1.89 Menkalinan β Aurigae Binary star system Maximum brightness
54 1.91 Atria Star
55 1.918 α Pavonis Binary star system
56 1.92 Alhena γ Geminorum Binary star system
57 1.96 Alsephena δ Velorum Triple star system Maximum brightness
58 1.953 ε Carinae Binary star system
59 1.98 Mirzam Star
60 1.99 Alphard Star
62 2 Tiaki Star Maximum brightness
2 Mira ο Ceti Binary star system Maximum brightness
64 2.01 Hamal Star
2.01 Mirach Star Maximum brightness
65 2.02 Diphda Star
66 2.05 Nunki Star
68 2.06 Menkent Star
2.06 Alpheratz α Andromedae Binary star system
71 2.07 Saiph Star
2.07 Kochab Star
2.07 Rasalhague α Ophiuchi Binary star system
72 2.1 Almach γ Andromedae Quadruple star system
73 2.12 Algol β Persei Triple star system Maximum brightness
76 2.14 Denebola Star
2.14 Suhail Star Maximum brightness
2.14 Mintaka δ Orionis Triple star system Maximum brightness
77 2.17 γ Centauri Binary star system
80 2.21 Naos Star
2.21 Aspidiske Star
2.21 Alphecca α Coronae Borealis Binary star system Maximum brightness
81 2.23 Sadr Star
84 2.24 Eltanin Star
2.24 Schedar Star
2.24 Larawag Star Maximum brightness
85 2.27 Mizar ζ Ursae Majoris Quadruple star system
87 2.29 ε Centauri Star Maximum brightness
2.29 α Lupi Star Maximum brightness
88 2.3 η Centauri Star Maximum brightness
89 2.31 Scheat Star Maximum brightness
90 2.34 Merak Star
91 2.35 Caph Star Maximum brightness
93 2.37 Algieba γ Leonis Binary star system
2.37 Ankaa α Phoenicis Binary star system
94 2.38 Aludra Star Maximum brightness
95 2.386 κ Scorpii Binary star system
96 2.39 Izar ε Boötis Binary star system
97 2.42 Sabik η Ophiuchi Binary star system
98 2.44 Phedca γ Ursae Majoris Binary star system
99 2.473 Markeb κ Velorum Binary star system
100 2.48 Aljanah ε Cygni Binary star system
101 2.49 Markab Star
102 2.5 Acrab β Scorpii Sextuple star system
103 2.51 δ Centauri Star Maximum brightness
105 2.54 Menkar Star
2.54 Zosma Star Maximum brightness
106 2.55 ζ Centauri Binary star system
107 2.56 ζ Ophiuchi Star Maximum brightness
109 2.58 Arneb Star
2.58 γ Corvi Binary star system
110 2.585 Ascella ζ Sagittarii Triple star system
111 2.6 Kraz Star Maximum brightness
112 2.61 Zubeneschamali Star
114 2.62 Phact Star Maximum brightness
2.62 Mahasim θ Aurigae Binary star system Maximum brightness
115 2.63 Unukalhai Star
116 2.65 Sheratan β Arietis Binary star system
122 2.68 β Lupi Star
2.68 Muphrid η Boötis Binary star system
2.68[15] Andromeda Galaxy Galaxy
2.68 α Muscae Star Maximum brightness
2.68 Ruchbah δ Cassiopeiae Binary star system Maximum brightness
2.68 Tureis Star Maximum brightness
124 2.69 Hassaleh Star
2.69 μ Velorum Binary star system
125 2.7 Lesath Star
128 2.72 Tarazed Star
2.72 Kaus Media Star
2.72 Cursa Star Maximum brightness
130 2.73 ι Centauri Star
2.73 Yed Prior Star Maximum brightness
133 2.74 Porrima γ Virginis Binary star system
2.74 Athebyne η Draconis Binary star system
2.74 Rasalgethi α Herculis Quadruple star system Maximum brightness
135 2.75 Cebalrai Star Maximum brightness
2.75 Tejat Star Maximum brightness
137 2.76 θ Carinae Binary star system
2.76 Kornephoros β Herculis Binary star system Maximum brightness
138 2.765 γ Lupi Triple star system
139 2.77 Hatysa ι Orionis Triple star system
141 2.78 Imai Star Maximum brightness
2.78 Algenib Star Maximum brightness
143 2.79 β Hydri Star
2.79 α Arae Star Maximum brightness
146 2.8 ζ Herculis Binary star system
2.8 Zubenelgenubi α Librae Quadruple star system
2.8 π Puppis Star Maximum brightness
149 2.81 Nihal Star
2.81 Rastaban β Draconis Binary star system
2.81 Deneb Algedi δ Capricorni Quadruple star system Maximum brightness
153 2.82 Paikauhale Star
2.82 Kaus Borealis Star
2.82 α Tucanae Binary star system
2.82 Fang π Scorpii Triple star system Maximum brightness
155 2.84 α Hydri Star
2.84 Gomeisa Star Maximum brightness
2.84 Cor Caroli α Canum Venaticorum Binary star system Maximum brightness
160 2.85 Vindemiatrix Star
2.85 β Arae Star
2.85 ζ Persei Star
2.85 β Trianguli Australis Star
2.85 Fawaris δ Cygni Triple star system Maximum brightness
161 2.86 Alniyat σ Scorpii Quadruple star system Maximum brightness
162 2.87 Alcyone η Tauri Triple star system
166 2.88 Albaldah π Sagittarii Triple star system
2.88 Zaurak Star Maximum brightness
2.88 ε Persei Binary star system Maximum brightness
2.88 Tianguan ζ Tauri Binary star system Maximum brightness
167 2.89 γ Trianguli Australis Star
168 2.9 Sadalsuud Star
171 2.92 υ Carinae Binary star system
2.92 μ Centauri Star Maximum brightness
2.92 Almaaz ε Aurigae Triple star system Maximum brightness
173 2.93 τ Puppis Binary star system
2.93 γ Persei Binary star system Maximum brightness
175 2.94 Algorab Star
2.94 Xamidimura μ1 Scorpii Binary star system Maximum brightness
178 2.95 Matar η Pegasi Binary star system
2.95 Sadalmelik Star
2.95 ε Leonis Star Maximum brightness
180 2.97 ο2 Canis Majoris Star Maximum brightness
2.97 μ Leporis Star Maximum brightness
182 2.98 Alnasl Star
2.98 ε Corvi Star
184 2.99 Okab ζ Aquilae Binary star system
2.99 Tania Australis μ Ursae Majoris Binary star system Maximum brightness
185 2.992 ι1 Scorpii Star
188 3 Pherkad Star
3 γ Hydrae Star
3 β Trianguli Binary star system
190 3.01 δ Persei Star
3.01 ψ Ursae Majoris Star
192 3.02 γ Boötis Binary star system Maximum brightness
3.02 Furud ζ Canis Majoris Binary star system Maximum brightness
193 3.05 η Sagittarii Binary star system Maximum brightness
194 3.06 Mebsuta Star
197 3.07 Altais Star
3.07 β Muscae Binary star system
3.07 π Herculis Star Maximum brightness
198 3.076 ζ Arae Star
199 3.08 Dabih β Capricorni Quintuple star system Brightest quintuple star system
200 3.085 Albireo β Cygni Binary star system
201 3.1 ζ Hydrae Star
203 3.11 α Indi Star
3.11 ν Hydrae Star
205 3.12 Wazn Star
3.12 N Velorum Star Maximum brightness
3.12 α Lyncis Star Maximum brightness
3.12 Alfirk β Cephei Binary star system Maximum brightness
209 3.13 Sarin δ Herculis Binary star system
3.13 κ Centauri Binary star system
212 3.14 λ Centauri Star
3.14 φ Sagittarii Star
3.14 Talitha ι Ursae Majoris Quadruple star system
213 3.15 Propus η Geminorum Triple star system Maximum brightness
214 3.16 ν Puppis Star Maximum brightness
216 3.17 Aldhibah ζ Draconis Binary star system
3.17 q Carinae Star Maximum brightness
221 3.18 Haedus Star
3.18 ε Leporis Star
3.18 θ Ursae Majoris Star
3.18 α Circini Star Maximum brightness
3.18 Errai γ Cephei Binary star system Maximum brightness
223 3.19 Tabit Star
3.19 Fuyue Star
226 3.2 κ Ophiuchi Star
3.2 δ Lupi Star Maximum brightness
3.2 Brachium Star Maximum brightness
227 3.21 ζ Cygni Binary star system
228 3.22 θ Aquilae Binary star system
229 3.23 Yed Posterior Star
230 3.24 p Carinae Star Maximum brightness
234 3.25 Sulafat Star
3.25 η Serpentis Star
3.25 θ Ophiuchi Triple star system Maximum brightness
3.25 Sheliak β Lyrae Triple star system Maximum brightness
236 3.26 Edasich Star Maximum brightness
3.26 α Doradus Binary star system Maximum brightness
237 3.27 Skat Star
239 3.28 π Hydrae Star
3.28 δ Andromedae Binary star system
244 3.3 α Pictoris Star
3.3 β Phoenicis Binary star system
3.3 Azmidi ξ Puppis Triple star system
3.3 Muscida Star Maximum brightness
3.3 ρ Persei Star Maximum brightness
246 3.31 τ Sagittarii Star
3.31 η Orionis Quadruple star system Maximum brightness
249 3.32 Megrez Star
3.32 γ Hydri Star Maximum brightness
3.32 Minelauva Star Maximum brightness
252 3.33 Chertan Star
3.33 η Scorpii Star
3.33 ω Carinae Star
255 3.34 γ Arae Star
3.34 ν Ophiuchi Star
3.34 δ Aquilae Binary star system Maximum brightness
259 3.35 Alzirr Star
3.35 Segin Star Maximum brightness
3.35 Ashlesha ε Hydrae Quintuple star system Maximum brightness
3.35 θ2 Tauri Binary star system Maximum brightness
261 3.36 α Reticuli Star
3.36 σ Puppis Binary star system Maximum brightness
264 3.37 λ Tauri Triple star system Maximum brightness
3.37 ε Lupi Binary star system Maximum brightness
3.37 a Carinae Binary star system Maximum brightness
266 3.38 Heze ζ Virginis Binary star system
3.38 ν Centauri Binary star system Maximum brightness
268 3.39 Meissa Star
3.39 γ Phoenicis Binary star system Maximum brightness
269 3.408 β Pavonis Star
274 3.41 Homam Star
3.41 ζ Lupi Star
3.41 η Leonis Star
3.41 η Cephei Star
3.41 η Lupi Triple star system
276 3.42 μ Herculis Quadruple star system
3.42 κ Canis Majoris Star Maximum brightness
279 3.43 Adhafera Star
3.43 Tania Borealis Star
3.43 λ Aquilae Star
280 3.44 χ Carinae Star
282 3.45 η Ceti Star
3.45 φ Velorum Star
283 3.463 α Telescopii Star
284 3.466 ε Gruis Star
287 3.47 γ Sagittae Star
3.47 Kaffaljidhma γ Ceti Triple star system
3.47 Nekkar Star Maximum brightness
288 3.48 Sadalbari Star
290 3.49 Alula Borealis Star
3.49 δ Boötis Star
294 3.5 τ Ceti Star
3.5 η Herculis Star
3.5 ζ Cephei Star Maximum brightness
3.5 Tarf β Cancri Binary star system Maximum brightness
296 3.51 ξ2 Sagittarii Star
3.51 δ Eridani Star Maximum brightness
297 3.519 ξ Serpentis Triple star system
300 3.52 Biham Star
3.52 Subra ο Leonis Binary star system
3.52 Mothallah α Trianguli Binary star system Maximum brightness
303 3.53 Ain Star
3.53 μ Serpentis Binary star system
3.53 Wasat δ Geminorum Triple star system
306 3.54 ι Cephei Star
3.54 ξ Hydrae Star
3.54 Unurgunite Star Maximum brightness
307 3.58 Achird η Cassiopeiae Binary star system Maximum brightness

Non-visual magnitudes[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Naming Stars | IAU". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  2. ^ Written at Strasbourg, France. "SIMBAD Astronomical Database - CDS (Strasbourg)". SIMBAD Astronomical Database. CDS. Retrieved 2018-12-02.
  3. ^ Samus, N. N.; Kazarovets, E. V.; et al. (2017). "General Catalogue of Variable Stars". Astronomy Reports (5.1 ed.). 61 (1): 80–88. Bibcode:2017ARep...61...80S. doi:10.1134/S1063772917010085. S2CID 125853869. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  4. ^ "Sun Fact Sheet". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  5. ^ "Moon Fact Sheet". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  6. ^ "Venus Fact Sheet". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  7. ^ "Jupiter Fact Sheet". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  8. ^ "Mars Fact Sheet". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  9. ^ "Mercury Fact Sheet". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  10. ^ "Saturn Fact Sheet". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  11. ^ "The Brightest Stars". www.atlasoftheuniverse.com. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
  12. ^ Guinan, Edward F.; Eaton, J. A.; Wasatonic, R.; Stewart, H.; Engle, S. G.; McCook, G. P. (November 2010). "Times-Series Photometry & Spectroscopy of the Bright Blue Supergiant Rigel: Probing the Atmosphere and Interior of a SN II Progenitor". HiA. 15: 359. Bibcode:2010HiA....15..359G. doi:10.1017/S1743921310009798.
  13. ^ "By Name | NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  14. ^ "By Name | NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  15. ^ "By Name | NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
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