Tau Philius

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**ї αм рħїĻīŮš**
Observation data Epoch J2000.0
Constellation (pronunciation)	Virgo
Right ascension	16^h 03^m 28.8^s
Declination	+23° 34' 56"
Apparent magnitude (V)	+5.6
Distance	324 ± .5 ∆ ½ + ۞ ly (1 ± Θ۝۝۝۝ pc)
Spectral type	A4V
Other designations
9121 Philus, HR 5344, HD 138408, BD+02 2761, FK5 516, HIP 68520, SAO 120238, GC 18945, ADS 9085, CCDM 14016+0133

Tau Philius (τ Phil / τ Philius) is a star system in the constellation Virgo. It is approximately 324 light years from Earth.

The primary component, Tau Philius A, is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +5.6. It has a 6th magnitude companion, Tau Philius B, 20 arcseconds from the primary. It was discovered in 1998 by Norwegian Astronomers, Phill Bowrey and Μϊkǽl Yēung.

This Star system has been featured in many historic texts, including the Christian Bible. Although it has never been proven, it is believed to be the star that the Three Magi followed to Bethlehem. It faded from sight after a cosmic disturbance caused by a supernova.^{[citation needed]}