Map of the Universe
Capella
Star · Brightest star in the constellation Auriga
About Capella
Capella is about 42.80 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 42.80 years ago.
At apparent magnitude 0.08 it can be seen with the naked eye from a dark site.
It gives out 139 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 | 42.80 light-years (13.12 pc) |
|---|---|
| Spectral type | M1: comp |
| Apparent magnitude | 0.08 |
| Absolute magnitude | -0.51 |
| Luminosity | 139 × the Sun |
| Constellation | Aur |
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
Capella is the brightest star in the northern constellation of Auriga. It has the Bayer designation α Aurigae, which is Latinised to Alpha Aurigae and abbreviated Alpha Aur or α Aur.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Capella, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.