Map of the Universe
Arcturus
Star · Brightest star in the constellation Boötes
About Arcturus
Arcturus is about 36.72 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 36.72 years ago.
At apparent magnitude -0.05 it can be seen with the naked eye from a dark site.
It gives out 116 times as much light as the Sun.
The map lists it as a star and shows it among the stars around the Sun, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.
Key numbers
| Distance | 36.72 light-years (11.26 pc) |
|---|---|
| Spectral type | K2IIIp |
| Apparent magnitude | -0.05 |
| Absolute magnitude | -0.31 |
| Luminosity | 116 × the Sun |
| Constellation | Boo |
Where it is
Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Solar neighbourhood › Local Bubble › Orion–Cygnus Arm (Local Arm) › Milky Way › Local Group › Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.
Zoom out to see it in context: 100 light-years, a view about 220 light-years across.
From Wikipedia
Arcturus is a red giant star in the northern constellation of Boötes, and the brightest star in the constellation. It has the Bayer designation α Boötis, which is Latinized to Alpha Boötis and abbreviated Alpha Boo or α Boo.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Arcturus, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.