description Van Maanen's Star Overview
Van Maanen's Star (van Maanen 2) is a white dwarf in the constellation Pisces, discovered by Dutch-American astronomer Adriaan van Maanen in 1917 from photographic plates. At approximately 14 light-years away, it is the closest known solitary white dwarf to the Sun, and among the closest white dwarfs overall after Sirius B and Procyon B. It is a degenerate star of spectral type DZ, with a mass similar to the Sun compressed into a roughly Earth-sized radius, and it shows heavy element pollution in its atmosphere.
insights Ranking position
Van Maanen's Star ranks #95 of 212 in the Star ranking, behind Kochab, ahead of Mirfak.
help Van Maanen's Star FAQ
Why is Van Maanen's Star historically important?
Adriaan van Maanen identified its large proper motion in 1917, and it became one of the earliest recognized white dwarfs. Its nearness also made it important for studying the faint remnants left after Sun-like stars exhaust their fuel.
Can Van Maanen's Star be seen with the naked eye?
No, it is much too faint for unaided viewing despite being only about 14 light-years away. Locating it in Pisces generally requires a telescope, a detailed chart, and attention to its changing position.
Does Van Maanen's Star have a companion star?
It is generally classified as the nearest known solitary white dwarf, unlike Sirius B or Procyon B, which orbit bright companions. No confirmed stellar companion accounts for its motion or brightness.
Why does Van Maanen's Star move so quickly across the sky?
Its high proper motion is mainly a consequence of being close to the Solar System and moving substantially relative to the Sun. Comparing images taken years apart reveals a noticeable shift against more distant background stars.
explore Explore More
Similar to Van Maanen's Star
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
