Rasalas is an orange star in Leo, the northern star of the lion’s head, one of the stars that bend the Sickle round at its top.
At a glance
| type | orange star (class K) |
|---|---|
| distance from the Sun | 124 light-years (38.1 pc) |
| its light left it | 124 years ago |
| luminosity | 44.7 × the Sun |
| radius | 8.4 × the Sun |
| surface temperature | 5,150 K |
| constellation | Leo (Lion) |
Read off the piece’s own catalogue, the same values it draws with.
About Rasalas
The facts describe a star that has grown larger and more luminous than the Sun and cooler at its surface, so it shines orange.
Its name is from the Arabic ras al-asad, the head of the lion; it is the northern of the pair, with Ras Elased Australis to the south. Together with Algieba, Adhafera and Regulus they draw the Sickle.
What you see in the piece
In the piece Rasalas keeps its real distance and colour; fly away from the Sun and it separates from its southern twin in depth.
Questions
How far away is Rasalas?
Rasalas is 124 light-years (38.1 pc) from the Sun; its light left it 124 years ago.