Izar (Pulcherrima)

Izar (Pulcherrima) is a double star in the constellation Boötes, magnitude 2.6.

A beautiful but tight orange-and-blue pair that Struve called Pulcherrima, "the most beautiful"; it needs steady seeing. Its components (magnitudes 2.6 and 4.8) lie 2.9″ apart at PA 347° (measured 2024).

When and where to see it

It is best placed in the evening sky around June, when it crosses the meridian at about 10 pm local time (around midnight in May). It can be seen from everywhere north of 63°S and never sets north of 63°N.

At its highest it stands 67° up from 50°N, 82° up from 35°N, 63° up from the equator, 28° up from 35°S.

Facts

Type

Double star

Constellation

Boötes

Designations

Pulcherrima, ε Boo, Epsilon Boötis, 36 Boo, 36 Boötis, STF 1877, HIP 72105

Magnitude

2.6

Position

RA 14h 45.0m, Dec +27° 4′ (J2000)

Open AstroPilot to see when Izar (Pulcherrima) is highest tonight from your location, how easy it is with your telescope or binoculars, and an eyepiece view.