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Aldebaran facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Taurus constellation map
The position of Aldebaran in the Taurus constellation

Aldebaran (α Tau, α Tauri, Alpha Tauri) is an orange giant star. It is about 65 light years away in the zodiac constellation of Taurus. With an average apparent magnitude of 0.87 it is the brightest star in the constellation and is one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky. The name Aldebaran is Arabic (الدبران al-dabarān) and means "the Follower", presumably because it rises near and soon after the Pleiades. The diameter of Aldebaran is larger than 50 million kilometers.

1e10m comparison Rigel, Aldebaran, and smaller - antialiased no transparency
Aldebaran compared to Rigel, Bellatrix, Alpha Centauri A, and the Sun.

In 1993 a companion body was reported. A paper recently accepted shows evidence for a planetary companion.

Images for kids

  • TaurusCC

    Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation of Taurus (center).

  • Iades and Pleiades (32446251210)

    Aldebaran in the Hyades

  • Moon occults Aldebaran

    Occultation of Aldebaran by the Moon. Aldebaran is the red dot to the right, barely visible in the thumbnail.

  • Big dipper as seen from aldebaran

    Big dipper as seen from Aldebaran

  • Nave Aldebaran

    Italian frigate Aldebaran (F 590)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Aldebarán para niños

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