Capella is the primary star in the constellation Auriga (the Charioteer), and the brightest star near to the north celestial pole.

Capella is actually a fascinating star system of four stars: two similar class-G yellow-giant stars and a pair of much fainter red-dwarf stars. The brighter yellow giant, known as Aa, is 80 times as luminous and nearly three times as massive as the Sun. The fainter yellow giant, known as Ab, is 50 times as luminous as the Sun and two-and-a-half times as massive. The combined luminosity of the two stars is the equivalent of about 130 Suns.

The Capella system is 42 light-years away, its light reaching us with a magnitude of 0.08.

It is highest in the winter months and circumpolar (meaning it never sets) at latitudes higher than 44 degrees north (or roughly north of Toronto, Canada).

To locate it, follow the two top stars that form the pan of the Big Dipper across the sky. Capella is the brighter star in the irregular pentagon formed by the stars in the constellation Auriga.

South of Capella is a small triangle of stars known as the Kids. One of the most ancient legends had Auriga as a goat herder and patron of shepherds. The brilliant golden yellow Capella was known as the "She-Goat Star." The nearby triangle of fainter stars represents her three kids.

Both yellow giants are dying, and will eventually become a pair of white-dwarf stars.