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The 10 Brightest Stars
By Pedro Braganca
Special to SPACE.com
posted: 07:00 am ET
15 July 2003
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6. Capella
Capella is the primary star in the constellation Auriga the "Charioteer"
and the brightest star that is near the north celestial pole.
Capella is a fascinating star system comprised of two similar class G yellow
giant stars and a pair of much fainter red dwarf stars. The brighter yellow
giant, known as Aa, is 80 times more luminous and nearly three times more massive
than our Sun. The fainter yellow giant, known as Ab, is 50 times more luminous
than the Sun and two-and-a-half times as massive. The combined luminosity of
the two stars is about 130 suns.
The Capella system is 42 light-years away, its light reaching us with a magnitude
of 0.08.
It is highest in the winter months and circumpolar (meaning it never sets)
at latitudes higher than 44 degrees north (or roughly north of Toronto, Canada).
To locate it, follow the two top stars that form the pan of the Big Dipper
across the sky. Capella is the brighter star in the irregular pentagon formed
by the stars in the constellation Auriga. South of Capella is a small triangle
of stars known as the Kids. One of the most ancient legends had Auriga as a
goat herder and patron of shepherds. The brilliant golden yellow Capella was
known as the She-Goat Star. The nearby triangle of fainter stars represent her
three kids.
Both yellow giants are in the process of dying, and will eventually become a
pair of white dwarf stars. [Capella
Map]
[Map Capella from your location with
Starry Night Software]
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