Antares

Alpha Scorpii

Scorpius

1.06
Apparent Mag
550
Distance (ly)
M1.5Iab-Ib
Spectral Type
3,660
Temperature (K)

Antares is a red supergiant and the brightest star in Scorpius. Its name means rival of Mars due to its reddish hue. If placed at the center of the Solar System, Antares would extend between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Stellar Data

Apparent Magnitude1.06
Absolute Magnitude-5.28
Distance550 light-years
Spectral TypeM1.5Iab-Ib
Temperature3,660 K
Luminosity75,900 L☉
Radius680 R☉
Mass12.4 M☉
Right Ascension16h 29m 24.5s
Declination-26° 25′ 55.2″
ConstellationScorpius

Notable Facts

  • The name Antares means rival of Mars due to its reddish appearance
  • If Antares replaced the Sun, its surface would extend beyond the orbit of Mars
  • It is a binary system with a hot blue companion star

More Stars in Scorpius

View constellation