Thursday May 29, 2025

Arcturus Follows the Bear (all night)

The evening eastern sky on May evenings is dominated by the bright orange star Arcturus, aka Alpha Botis. This star, located 37 light-years from Earth, is a K0-class red-orange giant with 1.5 times the mass of our sun, and about 100 times the output of the sun in visible wavelengths. Arcturus is visible from everywhere on Earth except for extreme southern latitudes. For observers in mid-northern latitudes, only Sirius shines brighter. Arcturus' name derives from the expression "Guardian of the Bear" because it trails Ursa Major, the Big Bear.

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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