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HIP 81238 The Sun (smaller than a dot at this scale)
Surface temperature
8,500 K
Radius
185 × the Sun
Luminosity
161,436 × the Sun
Spectral type
A9.7
Diagram, not a photograph. Colour from the star’s measured spectral type; size from its luminosity and temperature, drawn to one scale with the Sun. Source: HYG stellar database.

Cataloged star · Database record + computed analysis

HIP 81238

HIP 81238

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

Distance: no reliable parallax measured Apparent magnitude 11.83

A-type: white and crisp

Its spectral type is A9.7: surfaces around 7,500–10,000 °C; Sirius and Vega are the classic examples.

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 161,436 times the Sun's output, a genuine searchlight (derived from its brightness and distance).

Can you see it?

At apparent magnitude 11.83, it is a telescope target only. It favors northern observers.

It varies

This is a catalogued variable star (RW): 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.