Rasalhague Star System

Rasalhague contains 15 resources.

Rasalhague, also known by its Bayer designation Alpha Ophiuchi, is the brightest star in the constellation Ophiuchus.

Its name derives from the Arabic phrase "Ra's al-Hawwa'", which means "The Head of the Serpent Charmer", fitting since the constellation Ophiuchus is often depicted as a man holding a snake, represented by the adjacent constellation Serpens.

1. Spectral Type and Characteristics: Rasalhague is an A5 III star, which classifies it as a giant star that's hotter and more luminous than our Sun. Its surface temperature is approximately 8,200 Kelvin, which gives it a white hue.

2. Distance: Rasalhague is situated about 48.6 light-years away from Earth.

3. Binary System: While Rasalhague appears as a single point of light to the naked eye, it's actually a binary star system. The primary star, Alpha Ophiuchi A, is the one we can easily see, while its companion, Alpha Ophiuchi B, is much fainter and challenging to observe.

4. Rotation: An interesting aspect of Rasalhague is its fast rotation. The star spins on its axis so quickly that it has become noticeably oblate or flattened at the poles.

5. Brightness: As the brightest star in its constellation, Rasalhague stands out in the sky, but it's not among the brightest stars in the night sky. Its apparent magnitude is around +2.08.

Rasalhague is relatively easy to find in the night sky, especially during summer months in the Northern Hemisphere when Ophiuchus is prominently visible.