RA 172.9444° · Dec -41.0464° · star
3 more points to reach Rare.
GL Gl 431 is an uncommon variable star. It lies about 33.8 light-years from Earth, sits in the constellation Cen, shines at apparent magnitude 11.55 and has spectral type M.
Its spectrum reads M — 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 GL Gl 431 in the constellation Cen. At apparent magnitude 11.55, a small backyard telescope will bring it into view.
Like any astronomical target, GL Gl 431 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.
GL Gl 431 scores 31 points on Spacedle's rarity scale, which places it in the uncommon 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, Gently variable 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.