List of brightest stars - Wikipedia List of brightest stars This article is about apparent magnitude. For absolute magnitude, see List of most luminous stars. This is a list of the brightest naked eye stars to + 2.50 magnitude, as determined by their maximum, total or combined apparent visual magnitudes as seen from Earth. Although several of the brightest stars are also known close binary or multiple star systems, they do appear to the naked eye as single stars. The given list below combines / adds the magnitudes of bright individual components. Proper names in this list are those approved by the Working Group on Star Names Contents 1 Measurement 2 Main table of the brightest stars 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References 6 External links Measurement Apparent visual magnitudes of the brightest star can also be compared to non-stellar objects in our Solar System. Here the maximum visible magnitudes above the brightest star, Sirius ( − 1.46 ), are as follows. Excluding the Sun, the brightest objects are the Moon ( − 12.7 ), Venus ( − 4.89 ), Jupiter ( − 2.94 ), Mars ( − 2.91 ), Mercury ( − 2.45 ), and Saturn ( − 0.49 ). Any exact order of the visual brightness of stars is not perfectly defined for four reasons : Stellar brightness is traditionally based on the apparent visual magnitude as perceived by the human eye, from the brightest stars of 1st magnitude to the faintest at 6th magnitude. Since the optical telescope 's invention, and the known existence of double or binary stars, has meant that stellar brightness could be expressed as either individual ( separate ) or total ( combined ) magnitude. The table is ordered by combined magnitude of all naked eye components appearing as if it they were single stars. Such stars are included in parentheses, where any individual component magnitudes are bright enough to make a detectable contribution. e.g. the double star Alpha Centauri has the total or combined magnitude of − 0.27, while its two component stars have magnitudes of + 0.01 and + 1.33. New or more accurate photometry, standard filters, or adopting differing methods using standard stars can measure stellar magnitudes slightly differently. This may change the apparent order of lists of bright stars. The table shows measured V magnitudes, which use a specific filter that closely approximates human vision. However, other kinds of magnitude systems do exist based on different wavelengths, some well away from the distribution of the visible wavelengths of light, and these apparent magnitudes vary dramatically in the different systems. For example, Betelgeuse has the K - band ( infra - red ) apparent magnitude of − 4.05. Some stars, like Betelgeuse and Antares, are variable stars, changing their magnitude over days, months or years. In the table, the range of variation is indicated with var. Single magnitude values quoted for variable stars come from a variety of sources. Magnitudes are expressed within the table are when the stars are either at maximum brightness, which is repeated for every cycle, e.g., the eclipsing binary Algol ; or, if the variations are small, as a simple average magnitude. For all red variable stars, describing a single maximum brightness is often difficult because each cycle produces a different maximum brightness, which is thought to be caused by poorly understood pulsations in stellar evolution processes. Such quoted stellar brightness is sometimes based on the average maximum apparent magnitude from estimated maximums over many observed light - curve cycles, sometimes spanning across centuries. Results often quoted in the literature are not necessarily straight forward and may differ in expressing an alternate value for a singular maximum brightness or as a range of values. A select number of stars, thought to be uniformly fixed in brightness, are used as standard stars. These standard stars have carefully determined magnitudes that have been analysed over many years, and are often used to determine other star 's magnitudes or their stellar parameters using comparatively consistent scales. Main table of the brightest stars The source of magnitudes cited in this list is the linked Wikipedia articles -- this basic list is simply a catalog of what Wikipedia itself documents. References can be found in the individual articles. V Mag. ( m ) Proper name Bayer designation Distance ( ly ) Spectral class 0.000 2998732600000000000 ♠ − 26.74 Sun 0.000 015 813 G2 V 0.001 2999853999999999999 ♠ − 1.46 Sirius α CMa 000 8.6 A1 V, DA2 0.003 3000280000000000000 ♠ − 0.74 Canopus α Car 0310 A9 II 0.004 3000730000000000000 ♠ − 0.27 ( 0.01 + 1.33 ) Rigil Kentaurus α Cen 000 4.4 G2 V, K1 V 0.005 3001500000000000000 ♠ − 0.05 Arcturus α Boo 00 37 K0 III 6998300000000000000 ♠ 0.03 ( − 0.02 - 0.07var ) Vega α Lyr 00 25 A0 Va 6998800000000000000 ♠ 0.08 ( 0.03 - 0.16var ) Capella α Aur 00 42 K0 III, G1 III 6999130000000000000 ♠ 0.13 ( 0.05 - 0.18var ) Rigel β Ori 0860 B8 Ia 6999340000000000000 ♠ 0.34 Procyon α CMi 00 11 F5 IV - V 6999460000000000000 ♠ 0.46 ( 0.40 - 0.46var ) Achernar α Eri 0140 B6 Vep 6999500000000000000 ♠ 0.50 ( 0.2 - 1.2var ) Betelgeuse α Ori 0640 M2 Iab 6999610000000000000 ♠ 0.61 Hadar β Cen 0350 B1 III 6999760000000000000 ♠ 0.76 Altair α Aql 00 17 A7 V 6999760000000000000 ♠ 0.76 ( 1.33 + 1.73 ) Acrux α Cru 0320 B0. 5 IV, B1 V 6999860000000000000 ♠ 0.86 ( 0.75 - 0.95var ) Aldebaran α Tau 00 65 K5 III 6999960000000000000 ♠ 0.96 ( 0.6 - 1.6var ) Antares α Sco 0600 M1. 5 Iab, B3 V 6999970000000000000 ♠ 0.97 ( 0.97 - 1.04var ) Spica α Vir 0260 B1 III - IV, B2 V 7000113990000099999 ♠ 1.14 Pollux β Gem 00 34 K0 III 7000116000000099999 ♠ 1.16 Fomalhaut α PsA 00 25 A3 V 7000125000000000000 ♠ 1.25 ( 1.21 - 1.29var ) Deneb α Cyg 2,600 A2 Ia 7000125000000000000 ♠ 1.25 ( 1.23 - 1.31var ) Mimosa β Cru 0350 B0. 5 II, B2 V 7000138990000099999 ♠ 1.39 Regulus α Leo 00 77 B7 V 7000150000000000000 ♠ 1.50 Adhara ε CMa 0430 B2 Iab : 7000162000000000000 ♠ 1.62 Shaula λ Sco 0700 B2 IV 7000162000000000000 ♠ 1.62 ( 1.98 + 2.97 ) Castor α Gem 00 52 Am, A1 V 7000164000000000000 ♠ 1.64 Gacrux γ Cru 00 88 M3. 5 III 7000164000000000000 ♠ 1.64 Bellatrix γ Ori 0240 B2 III 7000165000000000000 ♠ 1.65 Elnath β Tau 0130 B7 III 7000169000000000000 ♠ 1.69 Miaplacidus β Car 0110 A1 III 7000169000000000000 ♠ 1.69 ( 1.64 - 1.74var ) Alnilam ε Ori 2,000 B0 Ia 7000172000000000000 ♠ 1.72 ( 1.81 - 1.87var + 4.27 ) -- γ Vel 0840 WC8, O7. 5e 7000174000000000000 ♠ 1.74 Alnair α Gru 0100 B7 IV 7000177000000000000 ♠ 1.77 Alioth ε UMa 00 81 A1 III - IVp kB9 7000177000000000000 ♠ 1.77 Alnitak ζ Ori A 0820 O9. 7 Ib, O9 III, B0 II - IV 7000179000000000000 ♠ 1.79 Dubhe α UMa 0120 G9 III, A7. 5 7000180000000000000 ♠ 1.80 Mirfak α Per 0590 F5 Ib 7000182000000000000 ♠ 1.82 Wezen δ CMa 1,800 F8 Ia 7000184000000000000 ♠ 1.84 Sargas θ Sco 0270 F0 II 7000185000000000000 ♠ 1.85 Kaus Australis ε Sgr 0140 B9. 5 III 7000186000000000000 ♠ 1.86 Avior ε Car 0630 K3 III, B2 Vp 7000186000000000000 ♠ 1.86 Alkaid η UMa 0100 B3 V 7000190000000000000 ♠ 1.90 ( 1.89 - 1.94var ) Menkalinan β Aur 0100 A1mIV + A1mIV 7000191000000000000 ♠ 1.91 Atria α TrA 0420 K2 IIb - IIIa 7000192000000000000 ♠ 1.92 Alhena γ Gem 0100 A1. 5 IV+ 7000194000000000000 ♠ 1.94 Peacock α Pav 0180 B2 IV 7000196000000000000 ♠ 1.96 ( 1.99 - 2.39var + 5.57 ) -- δ Vel 00 80 A1 Va ( n ), F2 - F5 7000198000000000000 ♠ 1.98 Mirzam β CMa 0500 B1 II - III 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2.00 Alphard α Hya 0180 K3 II - III 7000198000000000000 ♠ 1.98 ( 1.86 - 2.13var ) Polaris α UMi 0430 F8 Ib 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2.00 Hamal α Ari 00 66 K1 IIIb 7000200999999999999 ♠ 2.08 ( 2.37 + 3.64 ) Algieba γ Leo 0130 K0 III, G7 IIIb 7000202000000000000 ♠ 2.02 Diphda β Cet 00 96 K0 III 7000205009999999999 ♠ 2.05 Nunki σ Sgr 0220 B2. 5 V 7000206000000000000 ♠ 2.06 Menkent θ Cen 00 61 K0 III 7000205009999999999 ♠ 2.05 ( 2.01 - 2.10var ) Mirach β And 0200 M0III 7000206000000000000 ♠ 2.06 Alpheratz α And 00 97 B8 IV 7000207009999999999 ♠ 2.07 Rasalhague α Oph 00 47 A5 V 7000208000000000000 ♠ 2.08 Kochab β UMi 0130 K4 III 7000209009999900000 ♠ 2.09 Saiph κ Ori 0720 B0 Iab : 7000211009999900000 ♠ 2.11 Denebola β Leo 00 36 A3 Va 7000212000000000000 ♠ 2.12 ( 2.1 - 3.39var ) Algol β Per 00 93 B8 V 7000215000000000000 ♠ 2.15 ( 2.0 - 2.3var ) -- β Gru 0170 M5 III 7000217000000000000 ♠ 2.17 -- γ Cen 0130 A1IV, ( A0III / A0III ) 7000221000000000000 ♠ 2.21 Aspidiske ι Car 0690 A9 Ib 7000221000000000000 ♠ 2.21 ( 2.14 - 2.30var ) Suhail λ Vel 0570 K4. 5 Ib - II 7000223000000000000 ♠ 2.23 ( 2.21 - 2.32var ) Alphecca α CrB 00 75 A0 V, G5 V 7000223000000000000 ♠ 2.23 ( 2.23 - 2.35var ) Mintaka δ Ori 0900 B0 III, O9 V 7000223000000000000 ♠ 2.23 Sadr γ Cyg 1,500 F8 Ib 7000223000000000000 ♠ 2.23 Eltanin γ Dra 0150 K5 III 7000224000000000000 ♠ 2.24 Schedar α Cas 0230 K0 IIIa 7000225000000000000 ♠ 2.25 Naos ζ Pup 1,100 O4 If ( n ) p 7000225990000099999 ♠ 2.26 Almach γ And 0350 K3 IIb, B9. 5 V, B9. 5 V, A0 V 7000227000000000000 ♠ 2.27 Mizar ζ UMa 00 78 A2 Vp, A2 Vp, A1m, A5 V 7000227990000099999 ♠ 2.28 ( 2.25 - 2.31var ) Caph β Cas 00 54 F2 III 7000229000000000000 ♠ 2.29 Izar ε Boo 0202 K0 II - III, A2 V 7000230000000099999 ♠ 2.30 ( 2.29 - 2.34var ) -- α Lup 0550 B1. 5 III 7000230000000099999 ♠ 2.30 ( 2.29 - 2.31var ) -- ε Cen 0380 B1III 7000231000000000000 ♠ 2.31 ( 1.6 - 2.32var ) Dschubba δ Sco 0400 B0. 3 IV 7000231000000000000 ♠ 2.31 -- ε Sco 00 65 K1 III 7000235000000000000 ♠ 2.35 ( 2.30 - 2.41var ) -- η Cen 0310 B1. 5Vne 7000237000000000000 ♠ 2.37 Merak β UMa 00 79 A1 IVps 7000238000000000000 ♠ 2.38 Ankaa α Phe 00 77 K0. 5 IIIb 7000239000000000000 ♠ 2.39 -- κ Sco 0460 B1. 5 III 7000240000000000000 ♠ 2.40 ( 0.7 - 3.0var ) Enif ε Peg 0670 K2 Ib 7000242000000000000 ♠ 2.42 ( 2.31 - 2.74var ) Scheat β Peg 0200 M2. 5 II - IIIe 7000243000000000000 ♠ 2.43 Sabik η Oph 00 49 A1 V, A3 V 7000244000000000000 ♠ 2.44 Phecda γ UMa 00 84 A0Ve 7000245000000000000 ♠ 2.45 Aludra η CMa 2,000 B5 Ia 7000246000000000000 ♠ 2.46 -- κ Vel 0540 B2 IV 7000247000000000000 ♠ 2.47 ( 1.6 - 3.0var ) -- γ Cas 0610 B0. 5 IVpe 7000248000000000000 ♠ 2.48 Markab α Peg 0140 B9 III 7000248000000000000 ♠ 2.48 -- ε Cyg 00 72 K0 III - IV 7000250000000000000 ♠ 2.50 Acrab β Sco 0404 B1V, B2V See also Star portal Book : The Brightest Stars 88 modern constellations by area Historical brightest stars : the brightest star in Earth 's night sky at each period within the last or next 5 million years List of largest stars List of most luminous stars List of nearest bright stars List of nearest galaxies List of nearest stars and brown dwarfs Lists of constellations Lists of stars Lists of stars by constellation Stars and planetary systems in fiction Notes References Jump up ^ Hoffleit, Dorrit ; Jaschek, Carlos ( 1991 ). `` The Bright star catalogue ''. New Haven. Bibcode : 1991bsc... book... H. Jump up ^ Bessell, Michael S. ( 2005 ). `` Standard Photometric Systems ''. Annual Review of Astronomy & Astrophysics. 43 : 293. Bibcode : 2005ARA&A... 43... 293B. doi : 10.1146 / annurev. astro. 41.082801. 100251. Jump up ^ Ducati, J.R. ( 2002 ). `` VizieR Online Data Catalog : Catalogue of Stellar Photometry in Johnson 's 11 - color system ''. CDS / ADC Collection of Electronic Catalogues. 2237. Bibcode : 2002yCat. 2237... 0D. Jump up ^ `` Macmillan Dictionary of Astronomy ( Illingworth, Valerie, 1985 ) ''. Dictionary Series ( Second ed. ). Springer. p. 237. Retrieved 24 September 2016. Jump up ^ Landolt, Arlo U. ( 2009 ). `` UBVRI Photometric Standard Stars Around the Celestial Equator : Updates and Additions ''. The Astronomical Journal. 137 ( 5 ) : 4186. Bibcode : 2009AJ... 137.4186 L. arXiv : 0904.0638. doi : 10.1088 / 0004 - 6256 / 137 / 5 / 4186. Jump up ^ Harper, Graham M. ; Brown, Alexander ; Guinan, Edward F. ( April 2008 ). `` A New VLA - Hipparcos Distance to Betelgeuse and its Implications ''. The Astronomical Journal. IOP Publishing. 135 ( 4, ) : 1430 -- 1440. Bibcode : 2008AJ... 135.1430 H. doi : 10.1088 / 0004 - 6256 / 135 / 4 / 1430. Jump up ^ van Leeuwen, F. ( November 2007 ). `` Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction ''. Astronomy and Astrophysics. 474 ( 2 ) : 653 -- 664. Bibcode : 2007A&A... 474... 653V. arXiv : 0708.1752. doi : 10.1051 / 0004 - 6361 : 20078357. 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Question: what is the brightest star in the solar system
Answer: Sirius