Altair is rotating so rapidly that it is 14% larger at the equator than it is at the pole.
Click on image for full size
Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

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Aquila

Altair

What's in a Name: Arabic for "Aquila".
Claim to Fame: Brightest star in Aquila. One of the corners of the Summer Triangle.
Type of Star: White Subgiant
How Far Away: 17 light years away
How Bright: Almost 100 times brighter than the Sun
Where to View: In the constellation Aquila the Eagle.
When to View:July through October.

Last modified March 16, 2005 by Travis Metcalfe.

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