Altair: The Brightest Star of Aquila the Eagle Constellation

Altair is the brightest star of the constellation Aquila, which gives it the alpha designation. Altair is unique in the sense that it rotates quickly -- every 9 hours -- which gives the star an oblate spherical shape. It is fairly close to our own solar system at 16.7 light-years away, which is why it is bright in our sky. Learn more about the spectral class and shape of this beautiful star.

Discover the 25 brightest stars in the sky—order your copy of Starry Wonders Exploring the 25 Brightest Stars today!

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction to Aquila
1:10 - Introduction to Altair
1:25 - Characteristics of Altair (Spectral Class and Shape)
2:24 - Direct Image of Altair
3:08 - Star map of Aquila
4:12 - Alpha, Beta and Gamma stars of Aquila
5:11 - Poem "Altair" by Karle Wilson Baker
7:10 - Practice finding Aquila using the Summer Triangle
8:17 - More practice finding Aquila and Altair
9:53 - Outro About Altair

Check it Out

Playlists

Support this Channel

Never Miss a Video

Connect

#learnthesky #stargazing #constellations #stars #keeplookingup

[learnthesky]

Discover the 25 brightest stars in the sky—order your copy of Starry Wonders Exploring the 25 Brightest Stars today!

[trisinogy]

I’ve been kind of binge-watching this wonderful series on constellations, and I have to express my gratitude for all the work and passion you put into it. I started stargazing only recently (it’s a new passion of mine!) and I’ve found these videos so informative and enjoyable! Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge and passion with us. Happy stargazing!

[sxRamar]

It's been my online name and favorite star since the 80's ! 😱

[kimberlymarkus]

I just saw altair for first time today. And wanted to know more about her. Thank you

[jonpaul]

Thank you Janine, I love astronomy I have hand drawn the 88 constellations and written summaries on all of the star's in each of them, also showing the NGC, s and Messier objects it has taken along time but I do enjoy studying the whole subject, the reason for this obsession my mine is I think its the way to learn the sky.I think your channel is very educational.

[DreamWellDave]

that poem was so moving thankyou so much for sharing!! just magical!

[erichowry]

Great video. The summr triangle was the first thing I learned when I was young and first learning about the stars. I think it was 1989!

[lakhanshahi]

Great information video about the stars in brief with nice voice. Kathmandu

[adithya]

I can relate to darker skies since the light pollution is high in my place too.
Altair is one of the few stars I can see...

[yasirviolent]

Thank you very much, best channel for space info very helpful

[helloyesitsme]

Beautiful video, very informative thank you!

[jerryking]

It's hard to see the whole constellation from where I live but I do see Altair every night unless it's cloudy!

[mazyar_]

Thank you for the excellent videos, just one correction; Tarazad is not an Arabic word but Persian meaning balance/scales.

[helenelliott]

what is a spectral class? can you do a video on the spectral classes of stars?

[billbogg]

Might help if you tell us which direction to look eg North or South.

[LaurenEgolf-cg]

Anchorage Winnipeg Newark abrasives 7:52 😢

[studytonic]

What is the age of Altair and when it will go under supernova and what it will become after its death?Lots of love from india.

[rhoddryice]

Vega and Altair: The Love-Crossed Stars
Chinese mythology

Through the varying shapes of the delicate clouds
The sad message of the shooting stars
A silent journey across the Milky Way
One meeting of the Cowherd and the Weaver
Amidst the golden autumn wind
And jade-glistening dew
Eclipses the countless meetings
In the mundane world
The feelings soft as water
The ecstatic moment unreal is a dream
How can one have the heart
To go back on the bridge made of magpies
If the two hearts are united forever
Why do the two persons need to stay together
Day after day, Night after night

Qin Guan, Song dyn, 11th C.

[ThomasistheTwin]

That poem was beautiful because I was doing research on Jesus and He led me to you.

[daviniarobbins]

Where in the night sky? north, south, east, west? This would be useful. It is difficult to see any stars here in summer not because of light pollution but because of midnight twilight(even at 55 degrees north). Only the very brightness stars are visible. It never truly gets completely dark.