Alphard (Alpha Hydrae) is the brightest star in the constellation Hydra, made more noticeable by being in a fairly barren region of sky to the southwest of Regulus. Its Arabic name means "the solitary one."

 

Alphard is an orange giant and mild barium star with a companion that, before it became a white dwarf, contaminated its partner with the by-products of nuclear fusion that had been dredged to its surface.

 

visual magnitude	1.99
absolute magnitude	-1.69
spectral type	K3II-III
surface temperature	4,000 K
luminosity	400 Lsun
distance	177 light-years (54 pc)
position	RA 09h 27m 35.2s, Dec -08° 39' 31"
other designations	Alfard, Alphart, Kalbelaphard, Cor Hydrae, 30 Hydrae, HR 3748, BD -08°2680, HD 81797, SAO 136871, FK5 354, HIP 46390