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Altair

Alpha Aquilae, 53 Aquilae

White main sequence star in Aquila

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Proper Name	Altair
Bayer Designation	Alpha Aquilae
Flamsteed Number	53 Aquilae
HR (BSC)	7557
HD	187642
Constellation	Aquila
Right Ascension	19h 50m 47s
Declination	+8° 52' 6"
Distance	16.7 light years 5.1 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +0.93 Absolute: +2.38
Spectral Class	A7V white main sequence star
Optimum Visibility	July / August
Notes	This white star is only slightly larger than the Sun, but is prominent in the sky because it lies just 16.7 light years from the Solar System. Altair's rapid rotation gives it an oblate shape, with a distinct bulge around its equatorial regions.

The fainter yellow-orange star seen to the southeast of Altair in this image is Xi Aquilae, a yellow giant lying far beyond the relatively nearby Altair (and actually considerably more intrinsically luminous). This yellow star is also named Libertas, and is known to have at least one planet, the gas giant Fortitudo. Altair itself does not appear to possess a planetary system. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

A fairly massive white star, Altair is the brightest in the constellation of Aquila, the Eagle. It is one of the closest bright stars to Earth: just seventeen light years away.

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