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Barnard's Star Information

by Nick Greene
for About.com

Other Names:

  • Barnard's Star
  • Velox Barnardi
  • Munich 15040
  • LFT 1385

Data:

  • Right Ascension: 17 57 52
  • Declination: +04 42 52
  • Apparent Magnitude: 9.54
  • Absolute Magnitude: 13.2
  • Distance: 5.9 LY
  • Spectral Type: M3.8V

Constellation:

Ophiuchus

Barnard's Star Information:

The third closest star to our our own solar system is Barnard's Star. It is a faint red dwarf star, discovered in 1916 by E. E. Barnard, an observer known also for his discoveries of 16 comets. Astronomers have noted a slight irregularity in its motion, indicating a possible companion. Recent efforts to discover planets around Barnard's Star have failed. Barnard's Star is in the constellation Ophiuchus.

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