Achernar vs Régulus
Absolute magnitudes of −2.70 and −0.57 are what most distinguish the two. Régulus trails in apparent brightness at magnitude +1.36 against +0.45, leaving Achernar around 2.3 times the brighter target. Régulus is a B-type star in Leo, while Achernar is a B-type star. Achernar is the remoter of the pair at 139 light-years, roughly 1.8 times the 79.3 that separates us from Régulus.
Property comparison
| Property | Achernar | Régulus |
|---|---|---|
| Désignation | Alp Eri | 32Alp Leo |
| Constellation | N/A | Leo |
| Classe Spectrale | Class B — B-type (Blue-White) | Class B — B-type (Blue-White) |
| Magnitude Apparente | +0.45 | +1.36 |
| Magnitude Absolue | -2.70 | -0.57 |
| Distance | 139 ly | 79.3 ly |
| Masse | N/A | N/A |
| Rayon | N/A | N/A |
| Température | N/A | N/A |
| Luminosité | N/A | N/A |
Full data for each star: Achernar · Régulus
Key differences
Key Differences
- ◆ Both are rapidly rotating hot stars that are noticeably oblate due to centrifugal force.
- ◆ Achernar's equatorial diameter is 56% larger than its polar diameter — the flattest bright star known.
- ◆ Achernar is a B-type star at ~14,500 K; Regulus is also B-type at ~12,460 K.
- ◆ Achernar is in Eridanus at 139 light-years; Regulus is in Leo at 79 light-years.
- ◆ Regulus sits almost exactly on the ecliptic and is frequently occulted by the Moon.