Boötes
The constellation in depth
Your browser does not support WebGL, so the depth model is unavailable.
Drag to rotate; the slider carries the viewpoint away from Earth
Data
- IAU abbreviation
- Boo
- Genitive
- Boötis
- Area
- 906.8 sq °
- Catalogue stars
- 154
- Of those, named
- 8
- Introduced by
- Ptolemy, the Almagest, 2nd century
- Brightest star
- Arcturus · -0.04ᵐ
Stars of the constellation
| Stars of the constellation | Apparent magnitude | Distance | Spectral class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcturus | -0.04 | 37 light years | K1.5IIIFe-0.5 |
| Muphrid | 2.68 | 37 light years | G0IV |
| Izar | 2.70 | — | K0-II-III |
| Seginus | 3.03 | 85 light years | A7III |
| Nekkar | 3.50 | 219 light years | G8IIIaBa0.3Fe-0.5 |
| Xuange | 4.18 | 97 light years | A0p |
| Alkalurops | 4.31 | 121 light years | F2IVa |
| Merga | 5.74 | 153 light years | F7IV w |
History and myth
The Herdsman drives the Great Bear around the pole; his brightest star, Arcturus, means "guardian of the bear". The Hunting Dogs run beside him, added by Hevelius nearly two thousand years later.