description Lalande 21185 Overview
Lalande 21185 is a red dwarf star in the constellation Ursa Major, located approximately 8.3 light-years from Earth, making it one of the nearest known stellar neighbors to the Solar System. It is classified as spectral type M2V and has an apparent magnitude of about 7.5, rendering it too faint to be seen with the naked eye despite its proximity. The star was catalogued by French astronomer Jérôme Lalande in the late 18th century and has been a target in searches for exoplanetary companions. Its closeness has made it a recurring subject of astrometric and radial velocity studies.
help Lalande 21185 FAQ
Why is Lalande 21185 important to astronomers?
Lalande 21185 is a red dwarf star located only about 8.3 light-years away from Earth. This extreme proximity makes it one of the Sun's absolute closest stellar neighbors and a historical target for exoplanet searches.
Can Lalande 21185 be seen without a telescope?
Under absolutely perfect, extremely dark sky conditions with zero light pollution, Lalande 21185 is just barely visible to the naked eye. Most observers, however, will need at least a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to spot it.
What type of star is Lalande 21185?
It is classified as a red dwarf, meaning it is much cooler, smaller, and dimmer than our Sun. Despite being relatively faint, it is actually the brightest red dwarf star in the northern celestial hemisphere.
Have any planets been discovered orbiting Lalande 21185?
Yes, astronomers have confirmed the existence of at least one exoplanet orbiting Lalande 21185. A super-Earth candidate (designated Lalande 21185 b) was detected, and scientists continue to study the system for additional Earth-like worlds.
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