Alphard Observation Details
Alphard Daily Motion
Alphard will be visible until May, 23, when it will move too close to the Sun. During this time, its proximity to the Sun will cause it to disappear from the night sky, making it unobservable for a while.
Alphard Visibility Timetable on January 28
Alphard Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Moon Rise, 68.4% illuminated | 09:59 | -58° |
| Astrosession begin | 16:57 | -7° |
| Alphard rise | 17:32 | |
| Alphard transit | 23:04 | 44° |
| Moon Set | 01:32 | 32° |
| Astrosession end | 03:44 | 10° |
| Alphard set | 04:37 |
Track Alphard Position Throughout the Night
← Wed, 28 January 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe Alphard changing position in the night sky.
Where is Alphard right now?
Alphard is located in the constellation Hydra, at right ascension 09h 27m 35s" and declination -8° 39' 30s. At the current time, it is above the horizon at an altitude of 30 degrees toward the southeast from your location, with an apparent magnitude of 1.99.Alphard - Orange Giant Star
Alphard is the brightest star in the constellation Hydra and the thirty-fifth-brightest star in the night sky. It is an orange giant star located about 177 light-years away from Earth.
Alphard has an apparent magnitude of 2.00 and is one of the most prominent stars in the spring sky in the Northern Hemisphere.
Finder Chart for Alphard
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| Object name | Alphard |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| Alphard coordinates | 9.45979, -8.658603 |
| Center coordinates | 9.45979, -8.658603 |
Alphard Passage Through Night
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Current position of Alphard
| Time | 01:51 |
| Latitude | 37.3541 |
| Longitude | -121.955 |
| Alphard elevation | 30° |
| Alphard Azimuth | 131° |
Here you can see the current position of the Alphard on the map, as well as its positions for rise and set. This tool allows you to track the Alphard's movement throughout the night, providing you with accurate and up-to-date information.
Annual motion of Alphard
| Date | Thu, 29 January 2026 |
| Twighlight start | 16:53 |
| Twighlight end | 03:37 |
| Twighlight duration | 11h 44m |
| Rise | 17:28 |
| Set | 04:33 |
| Elevation at transit | 44° |
| Transit time | 23:00 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 09h 27m 35s", Dec: -8° 39' 30s |
| Magnitude | 2 |
| Constellation | Hydra |
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Alphard, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Alphard is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Alphard is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.
Astrometric & Physical Parameters of Alphard
Coordinates & Visibility
| Right Ascension | 9.45979° |
| Declination | -8.658603° |
| Magnitude | 1.99 |
| Constellation | Hydra |
| Elevation | 29.7° |
| Azimuth | 130.8° |