Arcturus vs Capella

Property Arcturus Capella
Designation 16Alp Boo 13Alp Aur
Constellation N/A N/A
Spectral Class Class K — K-type (Orange) Class M — M-type (Red)
Apparent Magnitude -0.05 +0.08
Absolute Magnitude -0.31 -0.51
Distance 36.7 ly 42.8 ly
Mass N/A N/A
Radius N/A N/A
Temperature N/A N/A
Luminosity N/A N/A

Key Differences

  • Both are G-K giant systems among the six brightest stars in the night sky.
  • Arcturus is a single K-type giant with an unusual high-velocity orbit through the Galaxy.
  • Capella consists of two G-type giants orbiting each other every 104 days.
  • Arcturus is slightly closer at ~36.7 light-years; Capella is ~43 light-years away.
  • Arcturus is the brightest star in the northern hemisphere; Capella is the brightest in Auriga.

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