Its story

Alkes is a minor Cepheid star within the Crt constellation. It’s a medium-sized star, boasting a visual magnitude of 3.778. It is situated 160.1 light years from Earth. The star appears to be relatively stable with a measurable proper motion rate of approximately 20.37 mas/year and a calculated proper motion of 128.6 mas/year.

Alkes is renowned in the sky as a ‘Southern Star’ or ‘Southern Beacon’. Its prominence is linked with a history of observing its visible appearance in the southern hemisphere. It has consistently displayed the characteristic shimmering quality seen in many southern constellations, including Cepheid variable stars known for their exceptional brightness. Its position, marked by the angular characteristics of its surface, makes it relatively easy to find if one is utilizing the tools within the star map.

The star’s relatively small size and intrinsic brightness make it a useful identifier for astronomers for assessing light pollution in the lower reaches of the southern sky. Its longevity, in terms of the amount of time that this star has been observed, adds another intriguing element to its significance.

This stellar feature evokes a sense of ancient observation and a connection to geographical locations surrounding the southern pole of the Earth, suggesting a long history of terrestrial study connected to its light.