Marfik
star · Ophiuchus · 3.8ᵐ
White star in Ophiuchus. It lies about 173 light years from Earth. In visible light it shines roughly 71 times as bright as the Sun.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Marfik around the year 1853.
About 7 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Marfik in?
Marfik lies in Ophiuchus.
Is Marfik visible to the naked eye?
3.8ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Marfik?
Best observed in May.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 16h 31m · +1° 59′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Ophiuchus
- How to observe
- 3.8ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- A2V — white star
- Absolute magnitude
- 0.2ᵐ
- Luminosity (visual)
- ≈71 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~173 light years
- Designation
- HIP 80883
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 32° | 86° |
| +55° | 37° | 87° |
| +45° | 47° | 87° |
| +30° | 62° | 88° |
| 0° | 88° | 88° |
| −35° | 53° | 88° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 08:45 |
| February | 06:38 |
| March | 04:53 |
| April | 02:59 |
| May | 01:05 |
| June | 22:59 |
| July | 20:55 |
| August | 18:54 |
| September | 17:01 |
| October | 15:12 |
| November | 13:12 |
| December | 11:03 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.