Арктур vs Капелла

Neighbouring spectral types describe the pair, a K-type star for Арктур against an M-type star for Капелла. Both lie at a comparable distance from the Sun — 36.7 light-years for Арктур and 42.8 for Капелла. Seen from Earth the ranking is Арктур first at −0.05, Капелла second at +0.08. Corrected for distance, Капелла outproduces Арктур by some 1.2 times, absolute magnitudes −0.51 and −0.31.

Property comparison

Property Арктур Капелла
Обозначение 16Alp Boo 13Alp Aur
Созвездие N/A N/A
Спектральный класс Class K — K-type (Orange) Class M — M-type (Red)
Видимая звёздная величина -0.05 +0.08
Абсолютная звёздная величина -0.31 -0.51
Расстояние 36.7 ly 42.8 ly
Масса N/A N/A
Радиус N/A N/A
Температура N/A N/A
Светимость N/A N/A

Full data for each star: Арктур · Капелла

Key differences

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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