images

The proper motion of Barnard's star

by

David Malin Images/Novapix

Reference

a-eto01-00150

Date

2008-11-13

Barnard's Star is red dwarf star approximately 6 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Ophiuchus Its proper motion is 10.3 arcseconds per year, which remains the largest known proper motion of any star relative to the Sun. The monochrome plates from which this 3-colour picture were made were taken in 1988 (blue), 1991 (red) and 1993 (green) showing its movement over 15 years.