Lists of Brightest, Nearest and Largest Stars:

List of brightest stars and other record stars

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of the brightest stars together with record holders of other categories with many details in compact form that can be compared. The brightest stars are
completely listed until apparent magnitude of 2 including Polaris. Some record holders, like the nearest star, the largest star, the most luminous star of the Milky Way etc.
are added to the list. The main purpose for this list is the possibility to compare stars of different categories, like to compare the largest known star UY Scuti with the
brightest star of our sky Sirius, which is not possible with the existing lists in Lists_of_stars.
For multiple values from different sources the average value ist displayed. From binary star systems the brighter (A) star is considered except for magnitude and
luminosity, where it is combined. More Properties (e.g. Temperature, Age) will be added. Data is yet to be added, verified and corrected.

V Mag. (mV) Proper name Bayer designation Distance (ly) Spectral class Mass (M☉) Radius (R☉) Luminosity (L☉)
−26.74 Sun 0.000015813 G2 1 1 1
−1.46 Sirius α CMa 8.6 A1 2.1 1.71´ 25.4
−0.74 Canopus α Car 310 A9 15 71 13,500
−0.27 Alpha Centauri α Cen 4.4 G2 1.1 1.2 2
−0.05 Arcturus α Boo 37 K2 1.1 26 170
0.03 Vega α Lyr 25 A0 2.2 2.7 50
0.08 Capella α Aur 43 G8 2.6 12 150
0.13 Rigel β Ori 860 B8 20 70 80,000
0.34 Procyon α CMi 11.4 F5 1.5 1.9 7.7
0.45 Betelgeuse α Ori 640[1] M2 20 950 60,000
0.46 Achernar α Eri 144 B3 6.7 9.3 3,000
0.61 Hadar β Cen 390 B1 10.5 8.6 42,000
0.76 Altair α Aql 17 A7 1.8 1.8 10.5
0.76 Acrux α Cru 320 B0.5 18 8.9 25,000
0.86 Aldebaran α Tau 65 K5 1.5 44 520
0.96 Antares α Sco 600 M1.5 12 680 75,000
0.97 Spica α Vir 260 B1 6.97 3.64 12,100
1.14 Pollux β Gem 34 K0 1.9 8.8 43
1.16 Fomalhaut α PsA 25 A3 1.9 1.8 16.6
1.25 Deneb α Cyg 2,600 A2 19 203 200,000
1.25 Mimosa β Cru 350 B0.5 16 8.4 34,000
1.39 Regulus α Leo 77 B7 3.8 3.1 290
1.50 Adhara ε CMa 430 B2 12.5 14 39,000
1.62 Shaula λ Sco 700 B2 14.5 8.8 36,000
1.62 Castor α Gem 52 A1 2.8 2.4 30
1.64 Gacrux γ Cru 88 M3.5 1.5 84 820
1.64 Bellatrix γ Ori 240 B2 8.6 5.8 9,200
1.65 Elnath β Tau 130 B7 5.0 4.2 700
1.69 Miaplacidus β Car 110 A1 3.5 6.8 290
1.69 Alnilam ε Ori 2,000 B0 32 42 380,000
1.72 Gamma Velorum γ1,2 Vel 1,100 WC8 9.0 6 170,000
1.74 Alnair α Gru 101 B7 4.0 3.4 260
1.77 Alioth ε UMa 81 A1 2.9 4.2 110
1.77 Alnitak ζ Ori A 1050 O9.7 33 20 120,000
1.79 Dubhe α UMa 120 G9 4.25 30 300
1.80 Mirfak α Per 590 F5 8.5 68 5,000
1.82 Wezen δ CMa 1,600 F8 17 200 82,000
1.84 Sargas θ Sco 270 F0 5.7 26 1,800
1.85 Kaus Australis ε Sgr 140 B9.5 3.5 6.8 360
1.86 Avior ε Car 630 K3 9.0 130 60,000
1.86 Alkaid η UMa 104 B3 6.1 3.4 1,350
1.90 Menkalinan β Aur 81 A1 2.39 2.77 50
1.91 Atria α TrA 390 K2 7 92 5,500
1.92 Alhena γ Gem 109 A1.5 2.8 3.3 120
1.94 Peacock α Pav 180 B3 5.9 4.8 2,200
1.96 Alsephina[2] δ Vel 80 A1 2.4 2.9 90
1.98 Mirzam β CMa 500 B1 13.5 10 27,000
1.98 Polaris α UMi 430 F8 5.4 39 2,500
2.00 Alphard α Hya 180 K3 3.0 50 780
2.42 Scheat β Peg 196 M2.5 2.1 95 1,500
2.98 Almaaz ε Aur 653 F0 15 140 43,000
V Mag. (mV) Proper name Bayer designation Distance (ly) Spectral class Mass (M☉) Radius (R☉) Luminosity (L☉)
3.35 Rasalgethi α Her 360 M5 2.8 280 8,300
3.50 Tau Ceti τ Cet 11.9 G8 0.783 0.893 0.52
3.74 Epsilon Eridani ε Eri 10.48 K2 0.82 0.74 0.34
4 Eta Carinae η Car 7,500 O 100 250 5,000,000
4.91 VV Cephei Cep 4,900 M2 10 1,400 250,000
5.4 R Doradus Dor 178 M8 1.2 370 6,500
5.5 18 Scorpii Sco 45.3 G2 1.02 1.01 1.06
5.88 54 Piscium Psc 36.1 K0 0.76 0.94 0.52
6.57 Mira ο Ceti 300 M7 1.2 370 9,000
8.3 Pistol Star Sgr 25,000 B3 100 320 1,700,000
8.9 UY Scuti Sct 9,500 M4 9 1,700 340,000
9.5 Barnard's Star Oph 5.98 M4 0.14 0.20 0.0035
10.7 Luhman 16 Vel 6.52 L7 0.04 ? ?
11.13 Proxima Centauri Cen 4.25 M6 0.12 0.15 0.0017
12.23 R136a1 Dor 163,000 WN5 290 32 8,700,000
14.67 Gliese 1214 Oph 47.5 M4.5 0.16 0.21 0.0033
17.30 VB 10 Aql 18.72 M8 0.075 0.10 0.0004
18.80 TRAPPIST-1 Aqr 39.6 M8 0.089 0.12 0.0005
21.05 2MASS J0523-1403 Lep 40.3 L2.5 0.07 0.086 0.00013

References
1.
• Harper, Graham M.; Brown, Alexander; Guinan, Edward F. (April 2008). "A New VLA-Hipparcos Distance to Betelgeuse and its Implications". The
Astronomical Journal. IOP Publishing. 135 (4,): 1430–1440. Bibcode:2008AJ....135.1430H. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/135/4/1430.
•

2. "IAU Catalog of Star Names". Retrieved 5 September 2017.

List of nearest stars and brown dwarfs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Play media
Video showing the space around the nearest stars to the Sun.

This list contains all known stars and brown dwarfs at a distance of up to 5 parsecs (16.3 light-years) from the Solar System. In addition to the Solar System, there are
another 56 stellar systems currently known lying within this distance. These systems contain a total of 60 hydrogen-fusing stars (of which 50 are red dwarfs), 13 brown
dwarfs, and 4 white dwarfs. Despite the relative proximity of these objects to Earth, only nine of them have an apparent magnitude less than 6.5, which means only about
12% of these objects can be observed with the naked eye.[1] Besides the Sun, only three are first-magnitude stars: Alpha Centauri, Sirius, and Procyon. All of these
objects are located in the Local Bubble, a region within the Orion–Cygnus Arm of the Milky Way.

Contents
• 1 List
• 2 Maps of nearby stars
• 3 Future and past
• 4 See also
• 5 Notes
• 6 References
• 7 External links

List
Stars visible to the unaided eye have their magnitude shown in light blue below. Brown dwarfs are shown with their designations in brown. White dwarfs are shown with
their designation in beige. The classes of the stars and brown dwarfs are shown in the color of their spectral types (these colors are derived from conventional names for
the spectral types and do not represent the star's observed color). Many brown dwarfs are not listed by visual magnitude but are listed by near-IR J band magnitude.
Some of the parallax and distance results are preliminary measurements.[2]

Distance[3] Designation Apparent Absolute Epoch J2000.0 Parallax[2 Discovery

Stellar magnitude magnitude Notes and additional
# Light-years Star class Right ][note 1] date[note
references
(±err) System Star (mV or mJ) (MV or MJ) Declination[2] mas (±err) 2]
# ascension[2]
has eight known
0 Solar System Sun G2V[2] −26.74[2] 4.85[2] — — — —
planets
Flare star, has one
Proxima Centauri 768.87(0
4.2421(16)
(V645 Centauri)
1 M5.5Ve 11.09[2] 15.53[2] 14h 29m 43.0s −62° 40′ 46″ 29)[4][5] 1915 known planet (b)
(2016)
α Centauri A
1
Alpha Centauri
(HD 128620)
2 G2V[2] 0.01[2] 4.38[2] 14h 39m 36.5s −60° 50′ 02″ —
(Rigil Kentaurus)
747.23(1 has one suspected
4.3650(68)
α Centauri B 17)[4][6] planet (c) (2013)
(HD 128621)
2 K1V[2] 1.34[2] 5.71[2] 14h 39m 35.1s −60° 50′ 14″ 1689
(planet b refuted in
2015)
Flare star, largest
5.9630(10 546.98(1
2
9)
Barnard's Star (BD+04°3561a) 4 M4.0Ve 9.53[2] 13.22[2] 17h 57m 48.5s +04° 41′ 36″ 00)[4][5] 1916 known proper
motion[7]
Luhman 16A 5 L8±1[8] 10.7 J 14.2 J had one suspected
Luhman 16 495 (5) planet (Ab)
3 6.59(7)
(WISE 1049−5319) 10h 49m 15.57s −53° 19′ 06″ [8] 2013
(doubtful) (2013)
Luhman 16B 5 T1±2[8]
[9]
7.27(13) −07° 14′ 42.5
4
[10]
WISE 0855−0714 7 Y 25.0 J 08h 55m 10.83s ″ 2014 sub-brown dwarf
7.7825(39 M6.0V[ 419.10(2
5
0)
Wolf 359 (CN Leonis) 8
2]
13.44[2] 16.55[2] 10h 56m 29.2s +07° 00′ 53″ 10)[4] 1919 Flare star
8.2905(14 M2.0V[ 393.42(0 has one suspected
6
8)
Lalande 21185 (BD+36°2147) 9
2]
7.47[2] 10.44[2] 11h 03m 20.2s +35° 58′ 12″ 70)[4][5] 1801 planet (2017)[11]
8.5828(28 Sirius Sirius A 10 A1V[2] −1.46[2] 1.42[2] 380.02(1 — brightest star in the
7
9) (α Canis Majoris) 06h 45m 08.9s −16° 42′ 58″ 28)[4][5] night sky
Sirius B 10 DA2[2] 8.44[2] 11.34[2] 1844
Luyten 726-8 A
12 M5.5Ve 12.54[2] 15.40[2] Flare star
8.7280(63 (BL Ceti) 373.70(2
8
1)
Luyten 726-8 01h 39m 01.3s −17° 57′ 01″
70)[4]
1949 (Archetypal
Luyten 726-8 B member)
12 M6.0Ve 12.99[2] 15.85[2]
(UV Ceti)
9.6813(51 336.90(1
9
2)
Ross 154 (V1216 Sagittarii) 14 M3.5Ve 10.43[2] 13.07[2] 18h 49m 49.4s −23° 50′ 10″ 78)[4][5] 1925 Flare star
316.00(1
10 10.322(36) Ross 248 (HH Andromedae) 15 M5.5Ve 12.29[2] 14.79[2] 23h 41m 54.7s +44° 10′ 30″ 10)[4] 1925 Flare star
 Distance[3] Designation Apparent Absolute Epoch J2000.0 Parallax[2 Discovery
Stellar magnitude magnitude Notes and additional
# Light-years Star class Right ][note 1] date[note
references
(±err) System Star (mV or mJ) (MV or MJ) Declination[2] mas (±err) 2]
# ascension[2]
has three known
circumstellar disks
309.99(0 two suspected
11 10.522(27) Epsilon Eridani (BD−09°697) 16 K2V[2] 3.73[2] 6.19[2] 03h 32m 55.8s −09° 27′ 30″ 79)[4][5] 150 planets (AEgir)
(debated) and c
(2000 & 2002)[12]
303.64(0
12 10.742(31) Lacaille 9352 (CD−36°15693) 17 M0.5V 7.34[2] 9.75[2] 23h 05m 52.0s −35° 51′ 11″ 87)[4][5] 1753
Flare star, has one
298.72(1
13 10.919(49) Ross 128 (FI Virginis) 18 M4.0Vn 11.13[2] 13.51[2] 11h 47m 44.4s +00° 48′ 16″
35)[4][5]
1925 known planet (b)
(2017)[13]
310(042)
14 11.089[14] WISE 1506+7027 19 T6 14.3 J 16.6 J 15h 06m 49.9s +70° 27′ 36″ [14] 2011

EZ Aquarii EZ Aquarii A 20 M5.0Ve 13.33[2] 15.64[2] 1937

11.266(17 h m s 289.50(4
15 (Gliese 866, EZ Aquarii B 20 M? 13.27[2] 15.58[2] 22 38 33.4 −15° 17′ 57″ 40)[4] - A & B Flare stars
1)
Luyten 789-6) EZ Aquarii C 20 M? 14.03[2] 16.34[2] 1995
F5V–
Procyon Procyon A 23 0.38[2] 2.66[2] 286.05(0 —
16 11.402(32) IV[2] 07h 39m 18.1s +05° 13′ 30″ 81)[4][5]
(α Canis Minoris)
Procyon B 23 DQZ[2] 10.70[2] 12.98[2] 1844
61 Cygni A K5.0V[2 B flare star, first
(BD+38°4343)
25
]
5.21[2] 7.49[2] 21h 06m 53.9s +38° 44′ 58″ 1725
star (other than the
Sun) to have its
286.04(0
17 11.403(22) 61 Cygni distance
61 Cygni B K7.0V[2 56)[4][5]
25 6.03[2] 8.31[2] 21h 06m 55.3s +38° 44′ 31″ - measured[15]
(BD+38°4344) ] possible
circumstellar disk.
Struve 2398 A M3.0V[
Struve 2398 (HD 173739)
27
2]
8.90[2] 11.16[2] 18h 42m 46.7s +59° 37′ 49″ 1835
283.00(1
18 11.525(69) (Gliese 725, Flare stars
Struve 2398 B M3.5V[ 69)[4][5]
BD+59°1915) 27 9.69[2] 11.95[2] 18h 42m 46.9s +59° 37′ 37″ 1835
(HD 173740) 2]
Flare star, has one
known planet (Ac)
Groombridge 34 A M1.5V[
29 8.08[2] 10.32[2] 1813 and one suspect
Groombridge 34 (GX Andromedae) 2] 280.59(0
19 11.624(39) 0h 18m 22.9s +44° 01′ 23″ planet (Ab)(2014)
(Gliese 15) 95)[4][5] (debated)[16]
Groombridge 34 B M3.5V[
29 11.06[2] 13.30[2] - Flare star
(GQ Andromedae) 2]
one known planet
Epsilon Indi A 31 K5Ve[2] 4.69[2] 6.89[2] 22h 03m 21.7s −56° 47′ 10″ 1597
(b) (2018) [17]
Epsilon Indi 275.84(0
20 11.824(30)
(CPD−57°10015) Epsilon Indi Ba 31 T1.0V 12.3 J[18] 69)[4][5] 2003
22h 04m 10.5s −56° 46′ 58″
Epsilon Indi Bb 31 T6.0V 13.2 J[18] 2003
11.826(12 275.80(3
21
9)
DX Cancri (G 51-15) 34 M6.5Ve 14.78[2] 16.98[2] 08h 29m 49.5s +26° 46′ 37″
00)[4]
1972 Flare star
has one known
debris disk
has two confirmed
planets (e and f)
(2012)
G8Vp[2 274.39(0
22 11.887(33) Tau Ceti (BD−16°295) 35
]
3.49[2] 5.68[2] 01h 44m 04.1s −15° 56′ 15″ 76)[4][5] 150 has three suspected
planets (d, g and h)
(2012, 2017) (d
doubtful)
planets b and c
refuted in 2017
272.01(1
M5.5V[
23 11.991(57) GJ 1061 (LHS 1565) 36
2]
13.09[2] 15.26[2] 03h 35m 59.7s
−44° 30′ 45″ 30)[note 1995 [19][20]
3]
−56° 58′ 30.2 291(050)
24 12.068[14] WISE 0350−5658 37 Y1 22.8 J[21] 03h 50m 00.32s ″ [14]
2011
Flare star, has
three known
12.132(13 M4.5V[ 268.84(2 planets (b, c, and
25
3)
YZ Ceti (LHS 138) 38
2]
12.02[2] 14.17[2] 01h 12m 30.6s −16° 59′ 56″ 95)[4][5] 1961 d) (2017)[22]
has one suspected
planet (e)
has two known
263.76(1
26 12.366(59) Luyten's Star (BD+05°1668) 39 M3.5Vn 9.86[2] 11.97[2] 07h 27m 24.5s +05° 13′ 33″ 25)[4][5] 1935 planets (b, c)
(2017)[23]
260.63(2 tentative radial
12.514(12
27
9)
Teegarden's star (SO025300.5+165258) 40 M6.5V 15.14[2] 17.22[2] 02h 53m 00.9s +16° 52′ 53″ 69)[note 2003 velocity variation
3] (2010)[20][24]
28 12.571(54) SCR 1845-6357 SCR 1845-6357 A 41 M8.5V[ 17.39 19.41 18h 45m 05.3s −63° 57′ 48″ 259.45(1 2004 [20]
2] 11)[note
 Distance[3] Designation Apparent Absolute Epoch J2000.0 Parallax[2 Discovery
Stellar magnitude magnitude Notes and additional
# Light-years Star class Right ][note 1] date[note
references
(±err) System Star (mV or mJ) (MV or MJ) Declination[2] mas (±err) 2]
# ascension[2]
SCR 1845-6357 B 41 T6[25] 13.3 J[18] 18h 45m 02.6s −63° 57′ 52″ 3] 2006
has two suspected
M1.5V[ 255.27(0 planets (b
29 12.777(43) Kapteyn's Star (CD−45°1841) 43
2]
8.84[2] 10.87[2] 05h 11m 40.6s −45° 01′ 06″
86)[4][5]
1898
(debated) and c)
(2014)[26]
M0.0V[ 253.43(1
30 12.870(57) Lacaille 8760 (AX Microscopii) 44
2]
6.67[2] 8.69[2] 21h 17m 15.3s −38° 52′ 03″ 12)[4][5] 1753 Flare star
M3.0V[
Kruger 60 A 45 9.79[2] 11.76[2] 1880
Kruger 60 2] 248.06(1
31 13.149(74)
(BD+56°2783) 22h 27m 59.5s +57° 41′ 45″
39)[4][6]
B flare star
Kruger 60 B M4.0V[
45 11.41[2] 13.38[2] 1890?
(DO Cephei) 2]
247.71(1
M8.5V[
32 13.167(82) DEN 1048-3956 47
2]
17.39[2] 19.37[2] 10h 48m 14.7s −39° 56′ 06″ 55)[note 2001 [27][28]
3]
16.52
33 13.259 UGPS 0722-05 48 T9[2]
J[29] 07h 22m 27.3s –05° 40′ 30″ 246 2010 [30]
Ross 614A M4.5V[
Ross 614 49 11.15[2] 13.09[2] 1927
13.349(11 (LHS 1849) 2] 244.34(2
34
0)
(V577 Monocerotis, 06h 29m 23.4s −02° 48′ 50″
01)[4][6]
A Flare star
Gliese 234) Ross 614B
49 M5.5V 14.23[2] 16.17[2] 1936
(LHS 1850)
three known
M3.0V[ 236.01(1
35 13.820(98) Wolf 1061 (Gliese 628, BD−12°4523) 51
2]
10.07[2] 11.93[2] 16h 30m 18.1s −12° 39′ 45″
67)[4][5]
1919 planets (b, c, and
d) (2015)[31]
closest known
free-floating white
dwarf to the Sun,
one of the first 3
14.066(10 231.88(1 known white
36
9)
Van Maanen's star (Gliese 35, LHS 7) 52 DZ7[2] 12.38[2] 14.21[2] 00h 49m 09.9s +05° 23′ 19″ 79)[4][5] 1896 dwarfs.
possible debris
disk (1917)
possible planet (b)
(2004) (debated)
M1.5 V 229.20(1
37 14.231(66) Gliese 1 (CD−37°15492) 53
[2]
8.55[2] 10.35[2] 00h 05m 24.4s −37° 21′ 27″ 07)[4][5] 1884
Wolf 424 Wolf 424 A 54 M5.5Ve 13.18[2] 14.97[2]
14.312(28 (FL Virginis, 227.90(4
38
9) LHS 333, Gliese 12h 33m 17.2s +09° 01′ 15″ 60)[4] Flare stars
Wolf 424 B 54 M7Ve 13.17[2] 14.96[2]
473)
−51° 01′ 35.7
39 14.4 2MASS J154043.42-510135.7 56 M7V 15.26 17.04 15h 40m 43.42s ″ 228(024) 2014 [32]
14.509(18 M4.5V[ 224.80(2
40
7)
L 1159-16 (TZ Arietis, Gliese 83.1) 57
2]
12.27[2] 14.03[2] 02h 00m 13.2s +13° 03′ 08″ 90)[4] Flare star
Possible flare star,
M3.0V[ 220.49(0 has one known
41 14.793(55) Gliese 687 (LHS 450, BD+68°946) 58
2]
9.17[2] 10.89[2] 17h 36m 25.9s +68° 20′ 21″
82)[4][5] planet (b) (2014)
[33]
14.805(24 M6.5V[ 220.30(3
42
2)
LHS 292 (LP 731-58) 59
2]
15.60[2] 17.32[2] 10h 48m 12.6s −11° 20′ 14″ 60)[4] Flare star
has one known
14.809(10 M3.0V[ 220.25(1
43
7)
Gliese 674 (LHS 449) 60
2]
9.38[2] 11.09[2] 17h 28m 39.9s −46° 53′ 43″
59)[4][5]
planet (b) (2007)
[34]
G 208-44 A M5.5V[
(V1581 Cyg)
61
2]
13.46[2] 15.17[2] 19h 53m 54.2s +44° 24′ 55″
G 208-44
M6.0V[ 220.20(1
44 14.812(67) G 208-45 Flare stars
G 208-45 61
2]
14.01[2] 15.72[2] 19h 53m 55.2s +44° 24′ 56″ 00)[4]
(GJ 1245)
G 208-44 B 61 M5.5 16.75[2] 18.46[2] 19h 53m 54.2s +44° 24′ 55″
15.060(14 216.57(2
45
0)
LP 145-141 (WD 1142-645, Gliese 440) 64 DQ6[2] 11.50[2] 13.18[2] 11h 45m 42.9s −64° 50′ 29″ 01)[4][5]
15.313(25 M5.5V[ 213.00(3
46
9)
GJ 1002 65
2]
13.76[2] 15.40[2] 00h 06m 43.8s −07° 32′ 22″ 60)[4]
Has four known
planets (d (2005), c
(2001), b (1998),
15.342(14 M3.5V[ 212.59(1
47
1)
Gliese 876 (Ross 780) 66
2]
10.17[2] 11.81[2] 22h 53m 16.7s −14° 15′ 49″ 96)[4][5] and e (2010))[35]
has two possible
planets (f and g)
(2014)
208.95(2 Has one possible
15.610(20 M5.5V[
48
4)
LHS 288 (Luyten 143-23) 67
2]
13.90[2] 15.51[2] 10h 44m 21.2s −61° 12′ 36″ 73)[note planet (b) (2007)
3] (tentative)[20]
49 15.832(83) Gliese 412 Gliese 412 A 68 M1.0V[ 8.77[2] 10.34[2] 11h 05m 28.6s +43° 31′ 36″ 206.02(1
2] 08)[4][5]
 Distance[3] Designation Apparent Absolute Epoch J2000.0 Parallax[2 Discovery
Stellar magnitude magnitude Notes and additional
# Light-years Star class Right ][note 1] date[note
references
(±err) System Star (mV or mJ) (MV or MJ) Declination[2] mas (±err) 2]
# ascension[2]
Gliese 412 B M5.5V[
(WX Ursae Majoris)
68
2]
14.48[2] 16.05[2] 11h 05m 30.4s +43° 31′ 18″ Flare star
Flare star, Has one
suspected debris
K7.0V[2 205.81(0 disk
50 15.848(52) Groombridge 1618 (Gliese 380) 70
]
6.59[2] 8.16[2] 10h 11m 22.1s +49° 27′ 15″ 67)[4][5] Has one suspected
planet (b) (1989)
(tentative)
15.942(21 M3.0V[ 204.60(2
51
8)
AD Leonis 71
2]
9.32[2] 10.87[2] 10h 19m 36.4s +19° 52′ 10″ 80)[4] Flare star

52 16.067[21] DENIS J081730.0-615520 72 T6 13.6 08h 17m 30.1s −61° 55′ 16″ 203 [21] 2010
Possible flare star,
has two known
16.085(10 M1.5 202.78(1
53
5)
Gliese 832 73
V[2]
8.66[2] 10.20[2] 21h 33m 34.0s −49° 00′ 32″ 32)[4][5] planets (b (2008)
and c (2014))[36]
[37]
201.37(3
16.197(31 L7.5V[2
54
3)
DEN 0255-4700 74
]
22.92[2] 24.44[2] 02h 55m 03.7s −47° 00′ 52″ 89)[note 1999? [28]
3]
M4V[38
16.265(76 GJ 1005 A 75 11.48[38] −16° 08′ 01.6 200.53(9
55 GJ 1005 ] 00h 15m 28.11s ″
5) 41)[38]
GJ 1005 B 75 M7V ? ?
Distance[3] Star Apparent Absolute Right
System Star Stellar Declination[2] Parallax[2 Discovery Additional
# Light-years # magnitude magnitude ascension[2] ][note 1]
class (mV or mJ) (MV or MJ) date references
(±err) Designation Epoch J2000.0 mas (±err)

Maps of nearby stars

This map shows all of the star systems within 14 light-years of the Sun (shown as Sol), except for brown dwarfs discovered after 2009. Double and triple stars are shown
"stacked", but the true location is the star closest to the central plane. Color corresponds to the table above.
This is a 3D map of the nearest stars using the coordinates listed above. The stars in the front have a right ascension of 18h. An animated version is available here. 3D
red green glasses are recommended to view this image correctly.

The locations of the four star systems closest to the Sun. Two, a brown dwarf and a free planet were found by the WISE satellite. The year when the distance to each
system was determined is listed after the system's name.

Future and past

Distances of the nearest stars from 20,000 years ago until 80,000 years in the future
Backwards extrapolation of the motion of Gamma Microscopii has shown that approximately 3.8 million years ago, it was only around 6 light-years from the Sun.
Because it is a yellow giant, it would then have had an apparent magnitude of −3, brighter than Sirius currently is.
It is estimated that Scholz's star and its companion brown dwarf passed about 52,000 astronomical units (0.25 parsecs; 0.82 light-years) from the Sun about 70,000 years
ago.[39]
Ross 248, currently at a distance of 10.3 light-years, has a radial velocity of −81 km/s. In about 31,000 years it may be the closest star to the Sun for several millennia,
with a minimum distance of 0.927 parsecs (3.02 light-years) in 36,000 years.[40] Gliese 445, currently at a distance of 17.6 light-years, has a radial velocity of
−119 km/s. In about 40,000 years it will be the closest star for a period of several thousand years. Gliese 710 is currently about 63.8 light-years (19.6 parsecs) from
Earth, but its proper motion, distance, and radial velocity[41] indicate that it will approach within a very small distance—perhaps under one light year—from the Sun
within 1.4 million years, based on past and current Hipparcos data.[42] At closest approach it will be a first-magnitude star about as bright as Antares. The proper motion
of Gliese 710 is very small for its distance measured over a period of years, meaning it is traveling at a similar and relatively close-approach trajectory to the solar
system.
In a time interval of ±10 million years from the present, Gliese 710 is the star whose combination of mass and close approach distance will cause the greatest
gravitational perturbation of the Solar System.
HIP 85605's spectral type and trajectory are not fully understood. More-accurate astrometry is required to determine the distance to the star, and thus if it will pass close
to the Sun. It was estimated in 2014 that HIP 85605 could approach to about 0.13 to 0.65 light-years (0.04 to 0.2 pc) from the Sun within 240,000 to 470,000 years.
Known Hipparcos stars that have passed or will pass within 5.1 light-years of the Sun within ±2 million years:[42]

Minimum Current
Approach Mass Current
distance in distance in Stellar Current Current Current
Star name HIP# date in apparent
light-years light-years classification in M☉ Constellation Right ascension Declination
kiloyears magnitude
(parsecs) (parsecs)
0.130–0.216 ly
Gliese 710 89825
(0.040–0.066 pc)
1320-1390 62.3 (19.1) K7V 0.4–0.6 9.6 Serpens 18h 19m 50.843s −01° 56′ 18.98″
Scholz's star and
0.59–1.17 ly
companion
(0.18–0.36 pc)
–70 20 (6) M9+T5 0.15 18.3 Monoceros 07h 20m 03.20s −08° 46′ 51.2″
brown dwarf
TYC 6871-112-
1
0.719-2.272 435 63.6 (19.5) late F-early K? 12.4 Sagittarius 18h 47m 45.849s −28° 09′ 20.76″

Ross 248 2.90 (0.890) 37.1 10.30 (3.16) M6V 0.136 12.29 Andromeda 23h 41m 54.99s 44° 10′ 40.8″
Proxima
Centauri
70890 2.90 (0.890) 27.4 4.24 (1.29) M5Ve 0.15 11.05 Centaurus 14h 29m 42.949s −62° 40′ 46.14″
Alpha Centauri 1.100[4
A
71683 2.97 (0.910) 28.4 4.36 (1.338) G2V
3]
−0.01 Centaurus 14h 39m 36.495s −60° 50′ 02.31″
Alpha Centauri 0.907[4
B
71681 2.97 (0.910) 28.4 4.36 (1.338) K1V
3]
1.33 Centaurus 14h 39m 35.080s −60° 50′ 13.76″

Gliese 445 57544 3.45 (1.059) 46.0 17.6 (5.39) M4 0.15? 10.8 Camelopardalis 11h 47m 41.377s +78° 41′ 28.18″
Barnard's Star 87937 3.74 (1.148) 9.8 5.98 (1.834) sdM4 0.144 9.54 Ophiuchus 17h 57m 48.498s +04° 41′ 36.25″
Zeta Leporis 27288 4.16 (1.275) −861 70.2 (21.5) A2Vann 2.0 3.55 Lepus 05h 46m 57.341s −14° 49′ 19.02″
Lalande 21185 54035 4.65 (1.426) 20.5 8.32 (2.55) M2V 0.39 7.52 Ursa Major 11h 03m 20.194s +35° 58′ 11.55″
Gliese 208 26335 5.01 (1.537) −500 37.1 (11.38) K7 0.47 8.9 Orion 05h 36m 30.991s +11° 19′ 40.32″

See also
• Book: The Nearest Stars

• Interstellar travel
• List of brightest stars
• List of star systems within 20–25 light-years
• List of star systems within 25–30 light-years
• List of nearest bright stars
• List of nearest exoplanets
• List of nearest galaxies
• Lists of stars
• Nearby Stars Database
• Stars and planetary systems in fiction
• The Magnificent Seven
• List of Solar System objects by greatest aphelion
• List of trans-Neptunian objects
• Star portal
• Astronomy portal
• Solar System portal
• Space portal
List of largest stars
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with List of most massive stars.

Relative sizes of the planets in the Solar System and several well-known stars:
1. Mercury < Mars < Venus < Earth
2. Earth < Neptune < Uranus < Saturn < Jupiter
3. Jupiter < Proxima Centauri < Sun < Sirius
4. Sirius < Pollux < Arcturus < Aldebaran
5. Aldebaran < Rigel < Antares < Betelgeuse
6. Betelgeuse < NML Cygni < VV Cephei A < VY Canis Majoris < UY Scuti
Below is an ordered list of the largest stars currently known by radius. The unit of measurement used is the radius of the Sun (approximately 695,700 km; 432,288 mi).
The exact order of this list is very incomplete, as great uncertainties currently remain, especially when deriving various important parameters used in calculations, such
as stellar luminosity and effective temperature. Often stellar radii can only be expressed as an average or within a large range of values. Values for stellar radii vary
significantly in sources and throughout the literature, mostly as the boundary of the very tenuous atmosphere (opacity) greatly differs depending on the wavelength of
light in which the star is observed.
Radii of several stars can be directly obtained by stellar interferometry. Other methods can use lunar occultations or from eclipsing binaries, which can be used to test
other indirect methods of finding true stellar size. Only a few useful supergiant stars can be occulted by the Moon, including Antares and Aldebaran. Examples of
eclipsing binaries include Epsilon Aurigae, VV Cephei, HR 5171, and the red-giant binary system KIC 9246715 in the constellation of Cygnus.[1]

Contents
• 1 Caveats
• 2 Extragalactic large stars
• 3 List
• 4 See also
• 5 References
• 6 External links

Caveats

UY Scuti as seen in visible light.

Complex issues exist in determining the true radii of the largest stars, which in many cases do display significant errors. The following lists are generally based on
various considerations or assumptions that include:
• Largest stars are usually expressed in units of the solar radius (R☉), where 1.00 R☉ equals 695,700 kilometres.
• Stellar radii or diameters are usually only approximated using Stefan–Boltzmann law for the deduced stellar luminosity and effective surface temperature;
• Stellar distances, and their errors, for most, remain uncertain or poorly determined;
• Many supergiant stars have extended atmospheres and many are embedded within opaque dust shells, making their true effective temperatures highly uncertain;
• Many extended supergiant atmospheres also significantly change in size over time, regularly or irregularly pulsating over several months or years as variable
stars. This makes adopted luminosities poorly known and may significantly change the quoted radii;
• Other direct methods for determining stellar radii, rely on lunar occultations or from eclipses in binary systems. This is only possible for a very small number of
stars;
• Based on various theoretical evolutionary models, few stars will exceed 1,500–2,000 times the Sun (roughly 3,715 K and Mbol = −9). Such limits maybe also
depend on the stellar metallicity.[2]

Extragalactic large stars

In this list are some examples of more distant extragalactic stars, which may have slightly different properties and natures than the currently largest known stars in the
Milky Way:
 • Some red supergiants in the Magellanic Clouds are suspected to have slightly different limiting temperatures and luminosities. Such stars may exceed accepted
limits by undergoing large eruptions or change their spectral types over just a few months. Humphreys et al., for example, calculates the maximum size for a
Magellanic cloud star as ~2,600 R☉.[citation needed]
• A survey of the Magellanic Clouds have catalogued many red supergiants, where more than 50 of them exceed 700 R☉ (490,000,000 km; 3.3 AU;
300,000,000 mi). Largest of these is about 1,200-1,300 R☉.[3]

List
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
List of the largest stars
Solar radii
Star name Method Notes
(Sun = 1)
Orbit of Saturn 1,940–2,169 Reported for reference
Margin of error in size determination: ±192 solar radii. At the smallest, it would have a size similar to VX Sagittarii (see
UY Scuti 1,708 ± 192[4] AD
below)
1,640,[5]
NML Cygni 1,183[6]– L/Teff
2,770[5]
1,540[7]– L/Teff This would be the largest star in the LMC, but is unusual in position and motion and might still be a foreground halo
WOH G64
1,730[8] giant.
RW Cep is variable both in brightness (by at least a factor of 3) and spectral type (observed from G8 to M), thus
RW Cephei 1,535 [9][10] L/Teff probably also in diameter. Because the spectral type and temperature at maximum luminosity are not known, the quoted
size is just an estimate.
1,530-
L/Teff Very uncertain parameters for an unusual star with strong radio emission. The spectrum is variable but apparently the
Westerlund 1-26 1,580[11] (–
luminosity is not.
2,550) [12]
VX Sagittarii 1,520[13] L/Teff VX Sgr is a pulsating variable with a large visual range from 1,350 R☉ to 1,940 R☉ and varies significantly in size.[14]
The upper estimate is due to an unusual K band measurement and thought to be an artifact of a reddening correction
1,420–2,850 L/Teff
KY Cygni error, and is thought to be against stellar evolutionary theory. The lower estimate is consistent with other stars in the
[2]
same survey and with theoretical models.
Humphreys et al previously estimated the radius of VY CMa to be 1,800 R☉ to 2,200 R☉; a size so large that places it
1,420 ± outside the bounds of stellar evolutionary theory.[16] Improved measurements have brought it down to size.[15][17]
VY Canis Majoris AD
120[15] This star is a red hypergiant, although Massey et al. considered it as a normal red supergiant with a radius of only
600 R☉.[18]
AH Sco is variable by nearly 3 magnitudes in the visual range, and an estimated 20% in total luminosity. The variation
AH Scorpii 1,411 ± 124[4] AD
in diameter is not clear because the temperature also varies.
1,400,[19] VV Cep A is a highly distorted star in a close binary system, losing mass to the secondary for at least part of its orbit.
VV Cephei A 1,050[20]– Other estimates give a range from 1,200 R☉ to 1,600 R☉.[2][21]
1,900[2]
RSGC1-F02 1,398[22] L/Teff
RSGC1-F01 1,335[22] L/Teff
1,315 ± 260, HR 5171 A is a highly distorted star in a close binary system, losing mass to the secondary, and is also variable in
HR 5171 A [23] 1,575 ± AD temperature, thus probably also in diameter. Traditionally, it is considered as the largest known yellow hypergiant,
400[24] although the latest research suggests it is a red supergiant with a radius 1,490 ± 540 R☉.[25]
SMC 18136 1,310[3] This would be the largest star in the SMC.
1,260-1,340, The largest estimate is due to an unusual K band measurement and thought to be an artifact of a reddening correction
PZ Cassiopeiae [26] 1,190- L/Teff error. The lowest estimate is consistent with other stars in the same survey and with theoretical models, and the
1,940[2] intermediate ones have been obtained refining the distance to this star, and thus its parameters.
Mu Cephei
(Herschel's "Garnet 1,260[27] Reddest star in the night sky.[28] Other recent estimates range from 650 R☉[29] to 1,420 R☉[2]
Star")
LMC 136042 1,240[3]
BI Cygni 1,240[2] L/Teff
Westerlund 1-237 1,233[12] L/Teff Calculated from an effective temperature of 3,600 K and a luminosity of 230,000 L☉.[12]
SMC 5092 1,220[3]
A red hypergiant localed in the Perseus Double Cluster. A large radius of 1,230 R☉ is due to an unusual K band
1,212 ± AD &
S Persei L/Teff measurement and thought to be an artifact of a reddening correction error. A small radius of 780 R☉ is consistent with
124[30]
other stars in the same survey and with theoretical models.[2]
LMC 175464 1,200[3]
LMC 135720 1,200[3]
RAFGL 2139 1,200[31] RAFGL 2139 is a rare red supergiant companion to WR 114 that has a bow shock.
SMC 69886 1,190[3]
RSGC1-F05 1,177[22] L/Teff
1,168[32]- L/Teff
EV Carinae
2,880[33]
RSGC1-F03 1,168[22] L/Teff
LMC 119219 1,150[3]
RSGC1-F08 1,146[22] L/Teff
 Solar radii
Star name Method Notes
(Sun = 1)
1,140[2]- L/Teff Other recent estimates range from 856 R☉ to 1,553 R☉.[34]
BC Cygni
1,230[27]
SMC 10889 1,130[3]
LMC 141430 1,110[3]
LMC 175746 1,100[3]
RSGC1-F13 1,098[22] L/Teff
RT Carinae 1,090[2] L/Teff
RSGC1-F04 1,082[22] L/Teff
LMC 174714 1,080[3]
LMC 68125 1,080[3]
SMC 49478 1,080[3]
SMC 20133 1,080[3]
V396 Centauri 1,070[2] L/Teff
SMC 8930 1,070[3]
Orbit of Jupiter 1,064–1,173 Reported for reference
1,060– L/Teff HV 11423 is variable in spectral type (observed from K0 to M5), thus probably also in diameter. In October 1978, it was
HV 11423
1,220[35] a star of M0I type.
CK Carinae 1,060[2] L/Teff
SMC 25879 1,060[3]
LMC 142202 1,050[3]
LMC 146126 1,050[3]
LMC 67982 1,040[3]
U Lacertae 1,022[13] L/Teff
RSGC1-F11 1,015[22] L/Teff
LMC 143877 1,010[3]
1,009[4]- AD &
KW Sagittarii L/Teff Margin of possible error: ± 142 solar radii (Torres 2013).
1,460[2]
SMC 46497 990[3]
LMC 140296 990[3]
RSGC1-F09 986[22] L/Teff
NR Vulpeculae 980[2] L/Teff
SMC 12322 980[3]
LMC 177997 980[3]
SMC 59803 970[3]
GCIRS 7 960 ± 92[36] AD
Betelgeuse (Alpha Other recent estimates range from 887 ± 203 R☉[38] to 1,180 R☉[39]
955 ± 217[37] AD
Orionis)
SMC 50840 950[3]
RSGC1-F10 931[22] L/Teff
S Cassiopeiae 930[40][41]
IX Carinae 920[2] L/Teff
HV 2112 916[42] L/Teff Most likely candidate for a Thorne-Zytkow Object.
RSGC1-F07 910[22] L/Teff
LMC 54365 900[3]
NSV 25875 891[6] L/Teff
LMC 109106 890[3]
RSGC1-F06 885[22] L/Teff
LMC 116895 880[3]
SMC 30616 880[3]
LMC 64048 880[3]
V437 Scuti 874[6] L/Teff
860[2]- L/Teff &
V602 Carinae Margin of possible error: ± 165 solar radii (Torres 2015).
1,050[43] AD
V669 Cassiopeiae 859[6] L/Teff
SMC 55681 850[3]
SMC 15510 850[3]
LMC 61753 830[3]
LMC 62090 830[3]
SMC 11709 830[3]
V1185 Scorpii 830[6] L/Teff
Outer limits of the
816 Reported for reference
asteroid belt
 Solar radii
Star name Method Notes
(Sun = 1)
LMC 142199 810[3]
LMC 134383 800[3]
BO Carinae 790[2] L/Teff
LMC 142907 790[3]
SU Persei 780[2] L/Teff In the Perseus Double Cluster
770[44]- AD &
RS Persei L/Teff In the Perseus Double Cluster. Margin of possible error: ± 30 solar radii (Baron 2014).
1,000[2]
AV Persei 770[2] L/Teff In the Perseus Double Cluster
V355 Cepheus 770[2] L/Teff
V915 Scorpii 760[45] L/Teff
S Cephei 760[46]
SMC 11939 750[3]
HD 303250 750[2]
The brightest yellow hypergiant in the night sky, one of the rarest types of star. Achmad (1992) calculates 600 R☉ to
V382 Carinae 747[47]
1,100 R☉ or 700 ± 250 R☉.[48]
RU Virginis 742[46]
LMC 137818 740[3]
SMC 48122 740[3]
SMC 56732 730[3]
V648 Cassiopeiae 710[2] L/Teff
XX Persei 710[49] L/Teff Located in the Perseus Double Cluster and near the border with Andromeda.
620-710[50] (– L/T
TV Geminorum eff
770)[2]
A yellow hypergiant, although most authors consider it as a supergiant, a protoplanetary nebula or a post-AGB star with
HD 179821 704[51] a luminosity of only 16,000 L☉.
LMC 169754 700[3]
LMC 65558 700[3]
V528 Carinae 700[2] L/Teff
The following well-known stars are listed for the purpose of comparison.
690[13]- L/Teff
V354 Cephei
1,520[2]
This star appears to vary its size by 165 R☉. Older estimates have given radii over 800 R☉,[53][54] but some are likely
Antares A (Alpha
680[52] AD to have been affected by asymmetry of the atmosphere and the narrow range of infrared wavelengths observed.[52]
Scorpii A)
Other recent estimates range from 653 R☉[55] to 1,246 R☉.[56]
587–593[57] (– Second reddest star in the night sky.[28] Can be occulted by the Moon, allowing accurate determination of its apparent
CE Tauri
608[58]) diameter.
R Leporis (Hind's 400[59]–
Margin of possible error: ± 90 solar radii.
"Crimson Star") 535[60]
Rho Cassiopeiae 400-500[61] Yellow hypergiant, one of the rarest types of a star.
Inner limits of the
412 Reported for reference
asteroid belt
Mira A (Omicron Prototype Mira variable. De beck (2005) calculates 541 R☉.[6]
332–402[62]
Ceti)
V509 Cassiopeiae 400–900[63] Yellow hypergiant, one of the rarest types of a star.
390–500,[64]
L/Teff CW Leonis is one of the mistaken identities as the claimed planet "Nibiru" or "Planet X", due to its brightness as it
CW Leonis 700[65]–
approaches 1st magnitude.
826[6]
A short time after the outburst V838 Mon was measured at 1,570 ± 400 R☉.[67] However the distance to this "L
380 (in 2009)
V838 Monocerotis supergiant", and hence its size, have since been reduced and it proved to be a transient object that shrunk about four-fold
[66]
over a few years.
S Doradus 100-380[68] Prototype S Doradus variable
R Doradus 370 ± 50[69] Star with the second largest apparent size after the Sun.
357[70]– L/Teff
IRC +10420 A yellow hypergiant that has increased its temperature into the LBV range.
1,342[6]
The Pistol Star 340[71] Blue hypergiant, among the most massive and luminous stars known.
La Superba (Y
Canum 307[6]-390[72] L/Teff Referred to as La Superba by Angelo Secchi. Currently one of the coolest and reddest stars.
Venaticorum)
Solar System
305 Reported for reference
Habitable Zone
Orbit of Mars 297–358 Reported for reference
Alpha Herculis (Ras 284 ± 60[73] Moravveji et al also gives a range from 264 R☉ to 303 R☉. At an estimated distance of 110 parsecs from the Sun, this
Algethi) corresponds to a radius of 400 ± 61 R☉.[73]

Sun's red giant The core hydrogen would be exhausted in 5.4 billion years. In 7.647 billion years, The Sun would reach the tip of the
256[74] red-giant branch of the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. (see below)
phase
Reported for reference
 Solar radii
Star name Method Notes
(Sun = 1)
Eta Carinae A 250,[75] 60– Previously thought to be the most massive single star, but in 2005 it was realized to be a binary system. Other estimates
(Tseen She) 800[76] gives 85 R☉ to 195 R☉.[77]
Orbit of Earth 211–219 Reported for reference
Deneb (Alpha
203 ± 17[78]
Cygni)
LBV 1806-20 200[79] Formerly a candidate for the most luminous star in the Milky Way.
Orbit of Venus 154–157 Reported for reference
Epsilon Aurigae A ε Aur was incorrectly hailed as the largest star with a radius 2,000 R☉ or 3,000 R☉,[81] even though it later turned out
143-358[80]
(Almaaz) not to be an infrared light star but rather a dusk torus surrounding the system.
Peony Nebula Star 92[82] Candidate for most luminous star in the Milky Way.
Rigel A (Beta 78.9[83]–
Margin of possible error: ±7.4 solar radii.
Orionis A) 115[84]
Canopus (Alpha
71 ± 4[85] Second brightest star in the night sky.
Carinae)
Orbit of Mercury 66–100 Reported for reference
Aldebaran (Alpha 44.13 ±
Tauri) 0.84[86]
Polaris (Alpha
37.5[87] The current northern pole star.
Ursae Minoris)
R136a1 35.4[88] Also on record as the most massive and luminous star known.
Arcturus (Alpha
25.4 ± 0.2[89] Brightest star in the northern hemisphere.
Boötis)
HDE 226868 20-22[90] The supergiant companion of black hole Cygnus X-1. The black hole is 500,000 times smaller than the star.
VV Cephei B 13[21]-25[91] The B-type main sequence companion of VV Cephei A.
Sun's helium After the red-giant branch the Sun has approximately 120 million years of active life left.
10
burning phase Reported for reference

Sun 1 The largest object in the Solar System.

Reported for reference