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Fomalhaut

Os Piscis Meridionalis, Difda al Auwel
Alpha Piscis Austrini, 24 Piscis Austrini

Proper NamesFomalhaut, Os Piscis Meridionalis, Difda al Auwel
Bayer DesignationAlpha Piscis Austrini
Flamsteed Number24 Piscis Austrini
HR (BSC)8728
HD216956
ConstellationPiscis Austrinus
Right Ascension22h 57m 39s
Declination-29° 37' 20"
Distance25 light years
8 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +1.2
Absolute: +0.1
Spectral ClassA3V White Main Sequence Star
Planets in this systemDagon (Fomalhaut b), nature and status uncertain
Optimum VisibilitySeptember
NotesThis young dwarf star is less than twice the diameter of the Sun. It possesses an array of circumstellar discs, and at least two other stellar companions, placing it at the heart of the ternary system.

The small southern constellation of Piscis Austrinus is faint and unremarkable but for one star - Fomalhaut. Just twenty-five light years away from Earth's Solar System, Fomalhaut is the tenth brightest star in the southern sky, with a strong magnitude of +1.2. Surrounding the star are several rings of debris, and within these rings orbits an object that appears to be a planet. Known as Dagon or Fomalhaut b, this planet, or planet-like object, is notable as one of very few such objects to have been directly captured in an image.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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