68 Cyg The Sun (smaller than a dot at this scale)

Surface temperature: 10,960 K
Radius: 2,543 × the Sun
Luminosity: 83,945,999 × the Sun
Spectral type: O8

Diagram, not a photograph. Colour from the star’s measured colour index; size from its luminosity and temperature, drawn to one scale with the Sun. Source: HYG stellar database.

Cataloged star · Database record + computed analysis

68 Cyg

HIP 105186 · HD 203064

A real star from the HYG catalog in the constellation Cygnus.

Distance: no reliable parallax measured Apparent magnitude 5.04

O-type: blue scorcher

Its spectral type is O8: among the hottest, rarest, shortest-lived stars: surfaces above 30,000 °C, lifetimes of mere millions of years, destined for supernovae. From its measured color, its surface temperature is roughly 10,956 K (10,683 °C), an estimate computed from the catalog's color index.

How far away is it?

The catalog lists no reliable parallax for this star, so its distance is honestly unknown. It is one of many stars still awaiting a precise measurement.

How powerful is it?

Its computed luminosity is 83,945,999 times the Sun's output, a genuine searchlight (derived from its brightness and distance).

Can you see it?

At apparent magnitude 5.04, it is a naked-eye star under dark skies, washed out by city lights. It favors northern observers.

It varies

This is a catalogued variable star (V1809): its brightness measurably changes over time, whether by pulsation, eclipses in a double system, or surface activity.

Everything above is computed from the catalog’s measured values for this star. Where a value is missing, the statement is omitted rather than guessed.

About this record

Data: the HYG stellar database v4.1 (Hipparcos + Yale + Gliese, CC BY-SA, © David Nash / astronexus). Want the full stories? Our deep star guides cover Sirius, Betelgeuse, Proxima Centauri, Vega and three dozen more. You can also browse the catalog or learn how stars live and die.