RA 49.8586° · Dec -1.0656° · star
3 more points to reach Epic.
HD 20646 is a rare variable star. It lies about 381.5 light-years from Earth, sits in the constellation Cet, shines at apparent magnitude 10.19 and has spectral type M2e(S)-M6e.
Its spectrum reads M2e(S)-M6e — an M-type red star — and M stars are the silent majority: roughly three of every four stars in the galaxy are one.
Look for HD 20646 in the constellation Cet. At apparent magnitude 10.19, a small backyard telescope will bring it into view.
Like any astronomical target, HD 20646 is best seen from a dark site away from city lights, and when it is above the horizon depends on your latitude and the time of year. The visibility panel above works out tonight's viewing window for your saved location.
HD 20646 scores 47 points on Spacedle's rarity scale, which places it in the rare tier. Another 3 points would lift it into a rarer tier.
That score comes from 6 science badges — Variable star, Cool red M-type star, Deep red star, Red dwarf, Dramatic variable (over 2 magnitudes) and A named variable star — each earned for a real, measurable property of the object. Rarity on Spacedle is never random: the more remarkable an object's astrophysics, the more badges it collects, the higher it scores, and the rarer it ranks.