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Sky-Tonight.com / Brightest Stars / Alphard
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Observation Settings

Or select it on the map:
This Earth map fragment is intended to illustrate celestial motion across the sky, emphasizing both bearing and elevational perspectives. The map's center point corresponds to the transit, showcasing celestial objects at their highest point, while elevation gradually decreases towards the map edges. This dynamic representation offers insights into the changing positions of celestial bodies with a focus on their bearing and elevational trajectories.
Your location: Santa Clara, United States
Timezone:
Latitude:
37.3541
Longitude:
-121.955

Alphard Observation Details

Alphard

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 February 23

Alphard Rise and Set Timetable

TimeElevation
Moon Rise, 22.9% illuminated 07:21-50°
Alphard rise15:50
Sunset15:531°
Civil sunset16:216°
Astrosession begin17:2117°
Alphard transit21:2244°
Moon Set22:0843°
Alphard set02:54
Astrosession end03:19-5°

Track Alphard Position Throughout the Night

← Mon, 23 February 2026 →

Elevation (degrees)
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 37 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 nameAlphard
Field of view
Limiting magnitude
Alphard coordinates9.45979, -8.658603
Center coordinates9.45979, -8.658603

Alphard Passage Through Night

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Current position of Alphard

Time23:17
Latitude37.3541
Longitude-121.955
Alphard elevation37°
Alphard Azimuth144°
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

Time
DateTue, 24 February 2026
Twighlight start17:18
Twighlight end03:13
Twighlight duration10h 55m
Rise15:46
Set02:51
Elevation at transit44°
Transit time21:18
Equatorial coordinatesRA: 09h 27m 35s", Dec: -8° 39' 30s
Magnitude2
ConstellationHydra
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.
You can also view detailed visibility information in a dedicated table, including exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.

Astrometric & Physical Parameters of Alphard

Coordinates & Visibility

Right Ascension9.45979°
Declination-8.658603°
Magnitude1.99
ConstellationHydra
Elevation36.7°
Azimuth143.6°