List of brightest stars

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This article is about the brightness of stars as seen from Earth (apparent magnitude). For intrinsic luminosity of stars (absolute magnitude), see list of most luminous stars.

This is a list of stars arranged by their apparent magnitude – their brightness as observed from Earth. It includes all stars brighter than magnitude +2.50 in visible light, measured using a V-band filter in the UBV photometric system. For variable stars, the listing is by maximum brightness. Stars in binary systems (or other multiples) are listed by their total or combined brightness if they appear as a single star to the naked eye, or listed separately if they do not. As with all magnitude systems in astronomy, the scale is logarithmic and inverted i.e. lower/more negative numbers are brighter.

Most stars on this list appear bright from Earth because they are nearby, not because they are intrinsically luminous. For a list which compensates for the distances, converting the apparent magnitude to the absolute magnitude, see the list of most luminous stars.

Some major asterisms, which feature many of the brightest stars in the night sky.

Measurement[]

The Sun is the brightest star as viewed from Earth, at −26.74 mag. The second brightest is Sirius at −1.46 mag. For comparison, the brightest non-stellar objects in the Solar System have maximum brightnesses of: the Moon −12.7 mag, Venus −4.89 mag, Jupiter −2.94 mag, Mars −2.91 mag, Mercury −2.45 mag, and Saturn −0.49 mag.[citation needed]

Any exact order of the visual brightness of stars is not perfectly defined for four reasons:

  • Stellar brightness is traditionally based on the apparent visual magnitude as perceived by the human eye, from the brightest stars of 1st magnitude to the faintest at 6th magnitude. Since the invention of the optical telescope and the documenting of binary stars and multiple star systems, stellar brightness could be expressed as either individual (separate) or total (combined) magnitude. The table is ordered by combined magnitude of all naked eye components appearing as if it they were single stars. Such multiple star systems are indicated by parentheses showing the individual magnitudes of component stars bright enough to make a detectable contribution. For example, the double star Alpha Centauri has the total or combined magnitude of −0.27, while its two component stars have magnitudes of +0.01 and +1.33.[1]
  • New or more accurate photometry, standard filters, or adopting differing methods using standard stars can measure stellar magnitudes slightly differently. This may change the apparent order of lists of bright stars. The table shows measured V magnitudes, which use a specific filter that closely approximates human vision. However, other kinds of magnitude systems do exist based on different wavelengths, some well away from the distribution of the visible wavelengths of light, and these apparent magnitudes vary dramatically in the different systems.[2] For example, Betelgeuse has the K-band (infrared) apparent magnitude of −4.05.[3]
  • Some stars, like Betelgeuse and Antares, are variable stars, changing their magnitude over days, months or years. In the table, the range of variation is indicated with var. Single magnitude values quoted for variable stars come from a variety of sources. Magnitudes are expressed within the table are when the stars are either at maximum brightness, which is repeated for every cycle, e.g., the eclipsing binary Algol; or, if the variations are small, as a simple average magnitude. For all red variable stars, describing a single maximum brightness is often difficult because each cycle produces a different maximum brightness, which is thought to be caused by poorly understood pulsations in stellar evolution processes. Such quoted stellar brightness is sometimes based on the average maximum apparent magnitude [4] from estimated maximums over many observed light-curve cycles, sometimes spanning across centuries. Results often quoted in the literature are not necessarily straightforward and may differ in expressing an alternate value for a singular maximum brightness or as a range of values.
  • A select number of stars, thought to be uniformly fixed in brightness, are used as standard stars.[which?] These standard stars have carefully determined magnitudes that have been analysed over many years, and are often used to determine other stars' magnitudes or their stellar parameters using comparatively consistent scales.[5]

Nomenclature[]

All of these stars have multiple valid names or catalogue designations. The table lists their Bayer designation and the most common proper name. Most of the proper names have been approved[6] by the Working Group on Star Names of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Popular names which have not been approved by the IAU are either omitted or are indicated with a footnote.

Table[]

The source of magnitudes cited in this list is the linked Wikipedia articles—this basic list is a catalog of what Wikipedia itself documents. References can be found in the individual articles.[circular reference]

Legend
Wolf–Rayet star
O-type star
B-type star
A-type star
F-type star
G-type star
K-type star
M-type star
Rank Visual magnitude (mV) Proper name[6] Bayer designation Distance (ly) Spectral class
part 1 part 2
1 0.000−26.74 Sun   — G2 V
2 0.001−1.46 Sirius α CMa 0008.6 A0mA1 Va, DA2
3 0.003−0.74 Canopus α Car 0310 A9 II
4 0.004−0.27 (0.01 + 1.33) Rigil Kentaurus & Toliman α Cen 0004.4 G2 V, K1 V
5 0.005−0.05 Arcturus α Boo 0037 K0 III
6 0.03 (−0.02–0.07var) Vega α Lyr 0025 A0 Va
7 0.08 (0.03–0.16var) Capella α Aur 0043 K0 III, G1 III
8 0.13 (0.05–0.18var) Rigel β Ori 0860 B8 Ia
9 0.34 Procyon α CMi 0011 F5 IV-V
10 0.46 (0.40–0.46var) Achernar α Eri 0139 B6 Vep
11 0.50 (0.0–1.6var) Betelgeuse α Ori 0700 M1-M2 Ia-ab
12 0.61 Hadar β Cen 0390 B1 III
13 0.76 Altair α Aql 0017 A7 V
14 0.76 (1.33 + 1.73) Acrux α Cru 0320 B0.5 IV, B1 V
15 0.86 (0.75–0.95var) Aldebaran α Tau 0065 K5 III
16 0.96 (0.6–1.6var) Antares α Sco 0550 M1.5 Iab-Ib, B2.5 V
17 0.97 (0.97–1.04var) Spica α Vir 0250 B1 III-IV, B2 V
18 1.14 Pollux β Gem 0034 K0 III
19 1.16 Fomalhaut α PsA 0025 A3 V
20 1.25 (1.21–1.29var) Deneb α Cyg 2,615 A2 Ia
21 1.25 (1.23–1.31var) Mimosa β Cru 0280 B0.5 III, B2 V
22 1.39 Regulus α Leo 0079 B8 IVn
23 1.50 Adhara ε CMa 0430 B2 II
24 1.62 Shaula λ Sco 0570 B2 IV
25 1.62 (1.98 + 2.97) Castor α Gem 0052 A1 V, Am
26 1.64 Gacrux γ Cru 0088 M3.5 III
27 1.64 Bellatrix γ Ori 0240 B2 III
28 1.65 Elnath β Tau 0130 B7 III
29 1.69 Miaplacidus β Car 0110 A1 III
30 1.69 (1.64–1.74var) Alnilam ε Ori 2,000 B0 Ia
31 1.72 (1.81–1.87var + 4.27) Regor[a] γ1,2 Vel 0840 WC8, O7.5III
32 1.74 Alnair α Gru 0100 B6 V
33 1.77 Alioth ε UMa 0081 A1 III-IVp kB9
34 1.77 Alnitak ζ Ori A 0820 O9.5 Iab, B1 IV, B0 III
35 1.79 Dubhe α UMa 0120 K0 III, F0 V
36 1.80 Mirfak α Per 0590 F5 Ib
37 1.82 Wezen δ CMa 1,800 F8 Ia
38 1.84 Sargas θ Sco 0270 F0 II
39 1.85 Kaus Australis ε Sgr 0140 B9.5 III
40 1.86 Avior ε Car 0630 K3 III, B2 Vp
41 1.86 Alkaid η UMa 0100 B3 V
42 1.90 (1.89–1.94var) Menkalinan β Aur 0100 A1mIV+A1mIV
43 1.91 Atria α TrA 0420 K2 IIb-IIIa
44 1.92 Alhena γ Gem 0100 A1.5 IV+
45 1.94 Peacock α Pav 0180 B3 V
46 1.96 (1.99–2.39var + 5.57) Alsephina δ Vel 0080 A1 Va(n), F7.5 V
47 1.98 Mirzam β CMa 0500 B1 II-III
48 2.00 Alphard α Hya 0180 K3 II-III
49 1.98 (1.86–2.13var) Polaris α UMi 0430 F7 Ib
50 2.00 Hamal α Ari 0066 K1 IIIb
51 2.08 (2.37 + 3.64) Algieba γ1 Leo 0130 K0 III, G7 IIIb
52 2.02 Diphda β Cet 0096 K0 III
53 2.04 Mizar ζ UMa 0078 A2 Vp, A2 Vp, Am
54 2.05 Nunki σ Sgr 0220 B2.5 V
55 2.06 Menkent θ Cen 0061 K0 III
56 2.05 (2.01–2.10var) Mirach β And 0200 M0 III
57 2.06 Alpheratz α And 0097 B8 IVpMnHg, A3 V
58 2.07 Rasalhague α Oph 0047 A5 III
59 2.08 Kochab β UMi 0130 K4 III
60 2.09 Saiph κ Ori 0720 B0.5 Ia
61 2.11 Denebola β Leo 0036 A3 Va
62 2.12 (2.1–3.39var) Algol β Per 0093 B8 V, K0 IV, A7m
63 2.15 (2.0–2.3var) Tiaki β Gru 0170 M5 III
64 2.17 Muhlifain γ Cen 0130 A0 III, A0 III
65 2.21 Aspidiske ι Car 0690 A9 Ib
66 2.21 (2.14–2.30var) Suhail λ Vel 0570 K4 Ib
67 2.23 (2.21–2.32var) Alphecca α CrB 0075 A0 V, G5 V
68 2.23 (2.23–2.35var) Mintaka δ Ori 0900 O9.5 II, B1 V, B0 IV
69 2.23 Sadr γ Cyg 1,500 F8 Iab
70 2.23 Eltanin γ Dra 0150 K5 III
71 2.24 Schedar α Cas 0230 K0 IIIa
72 2.25 Naos ζ Pup 1,080 O4 If(n)p
73 2.26 Almach γ And 0350 K3 IIb, B9.5 V, B9.5 V, A0 V
74 2.28 (2.25–2.31var) Caph β Cas 0054 F2 III
75 2.29 Izar ε Boo 0202 K0 II-III, A2 V
76 2.30 (2.29–2.34var) – α Lup 0550 B1.5 III
77 2.30 (2.29–2.31var) – ε Cen 0380 B1III
78 2.31 (1.6–2.32var) Dschubba δ Sco 0400 B0.3 IV, B1-3 V
79 2.31 Larawag ε Sco 0065 K1 III
80 2.35 (2.30–2.41var) – η Cen 0310 B1.5 Vne
81 2.37 Merak β UMa 0079 A1 IVps
82 2.38 Ankaa α Phe 0077 K0.5 IIIb
83 2.39 Girtab[a] κ Sco 0460 B1.5 III
84 2.40 (0.7–3.0var) Enif ε Peg 0670 K2 Ib
85 2.42 (2.31–2.74var) Scheat β Peg 0200 M2.5 II-IIIe
86 2.43 Sabik η Oph 0088 A1 IV, A1 IV
87 2.44 Phecda γ UMa 0084 A0 Ve
88 2.45 Aludra η CMa 2,000 B5 Ia
89 2.46 Markeb κ Vel 0540 B2 IV
90 2.47 (1.6–3.0var) Navi[a] γ Cas 0610 B0.5 IVe
91 2.48 Markab α Peg 0140 A0 IV
92 2.48 Aljanah ε Cyg 0072 K0 III-IV
93 2.50 Acrab β Sco 0404 B0.5 IV-V, B1.5 V, B2 V

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Unofficial name, not approved by the IAU

References[]

  1. ^ Hoffleit, Dorrit; Jaschek, Carlos (1991). "The Bright star catalogue". New Haven. Bibcode:1991bsc..book.....H.
  2. ^ Bessell, Michael S. (2005). "Standard Photometric Systems". Annual Review of Astronomy & Astrophysics. 43 (1): 293–336. Bibcode:2005ARA&A..43..293B. doi:10.1146/annurev.astro.41.082801.100251.
  3. ^ Ducati, J. R. (2002). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: Catalogue of Stellar Photometry in Johnson's 11-color system". CDS/ADC Collection of Electronic Catalogues. 2237. Bibcode:2002yCat.2237....0D.
  4. ^ Illingworth, Valerie (April 1985). Macmillan Dictionary of Astronomy. Dictionary Series (Second ed.). London: Springer. p. 237. doi:10.1007/978-1-349-17803-2. ISBN 9781349178032. OCLC 965821821. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  5. ^ Landolt, Arlo U. (2009). "UBVRI Photometric Standard Stars Around the Celestial Equator: Updates and Additions". The Astronomical Journal. 137 (5): 4186–4269. arXiv:0904.0638. Bibcode:2009AJ....137.4186L. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/137/5/4186.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Naming Stars". IAU Division C WG Star Names. Retrieved 12 August 2018.

External links[]

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