Barnard's Star is a
star in the
constellation Ophiuchus which is notable for having the largest [proper motion]
? of any star (other than the
Sun) as seen from
Earth. This large proper motion was discovered by the
astronomer E. E. Barnard in
1916.
Lying at a distance of about 6 light years, Barnard's Star is the fifth closest known star to Earth (see Star/Nearest). Only the Sun and the three components of the Alpha Centauri system are closer. But Barnard's Star is a red dwarf (spectral type M4), so despite its proximity it is too faint to see without a telescope or powerful binoculars. Its apparent magnitude is 9.54.
Barnard's Star is also known as HIP 87937, and various other unfriendly names.
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