Star
Antares
M1.5 Iab red supergiant
A huge red supergiant whose name means 'rival of Mars' for its similar ruddy colour. It sits near the ecliptic, so the Moon and planets regularly pass close by.
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~550 light-years
Apparent mag.
+0.6 to +1.6 (variable)
Radius
~680 × Sun
Temperature
~3,660 K
Mass
~12 × Sun
Spectral type
M1.5Iab
True colour from its B–V index (1.83): a surface around 3400 K.
Did you know
- It has a hot blue companion, Antares B.
- Its outer layers would reach past the asteroid belt if placed in our solar system.
- It will end its life as a supernova.
