Other Names for Epsilon Eridani:
- 18 Eri
- HD 22049
- HR 1084
- BD-09°697
- GCTP 742.00
- WDS 03330-0928
- SAO 130564
- LHS 1557
Data:
- Right ascension: 3h 32m 55.8s
- Declination: -9° 27' 29.7"
- Apparent Magnitude: 3.73
- Absolute Magnitude: 6.192
- Distance: 10.5 light years
- Spectral Type: K2V
Constellation:
Epsilon Eridani is located in the constellation Eridanus
Epsilon Eridani Information:
Epsilon Eridani (tenth closest star to Earth) is the closest star known to have a planet (Epsilon Eridani b), and an unconfirmed second planet (Epsilon Eridani c). While it is smaller, cooler and slightly less luminous than our own sun, Epsilon Eridani is visible to the naked eye. It is the third closest star that is viewable without a telescope.
On October 9, 2006, a NASA press release stated, "NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, in collaboration with ground-based observatories, has provided definitive evidence for the existence of the nearest extrasolar planet to our solar system. The Jupiter-sized world orbits the Sun-like star Epsilon Eridani, which is only 10.5 light-years away (approximately 63 trillion miles). The planet is so close it may be observable by Hubble and large ground-based telescopes in late 2007, when the planet makes its closest approach to Epsilon Eridani during its 6.9-year orbit."