In some cases you have a choice of stars for this date. Remember that a brighter star has a smaller magnitude number, if that is your choice.

Name: 53Nu SER
Birthday from Jack’s initial research: Dec 12
Magnitude: 4.3
Spectrum/Star type: White, a binary system.
Distance in Light Years: ~200
Diameter compared to Sun: 3
Luminosity compared to Sun: ~60
Date best observed: Jul 26
Additional information: In the Serpent’s Tail, outside of the zodiac. Serpens is the only constellation divided into two parts-Head and Tail. It is separated by Ophiuchus.

Name: 40 Xi OPH
Birthday from Jack’s initial research: Dec 12, Zodiac
Magnitude: 4.4
Spectrum/Star type: Light yellow
Distance in Light Years: 57
Diameter compared to Sun: 1+
Luminosity compared to Sun: 4
Date best observed: Jul 26
Additional information: Persians, Egyptians, & Ethiopians of NE Africa called Xi, Theta, & Eta “The Magician”. Nearby, to the east is the site of the last Milky Way Supernova called “Kepler’s Star”, seen in 1604. Xi is a binary system.

Name: 42Theta OPH
Birthday from Jack’s initial research: Dec 12
Magnitude: 3.3Var
Spectrum/Star type: Blue
Distance in Light Years: 560
Diameter compared to Sun: 7
Luminosity compared to Sun: 11,500 in ultraviolet light
Date best observed: Jul 27
Additional information: Nearby, the “S” dark nebula to the north,& the “Pipe” dark nebula a few degress south. Persians, Egyptians, & Ethiopians called it with Eta and Xi, “the Magician”. There are 2 other stars here.

Name: 44b OPH
Birthday from Jack’s initial research: Dec 13
Magnitude: 4.2
Spectrum/Star type: White
Distance in Light Years: 84
Date best observed: Jul 28
Additional information: On the edge of The Pipe Nebula.

Name: 45d OPH
Birthday from Jack’s initial research: Dec 14
Magnitude: 4.3
Spectrum/Star type: Light yellow
Distance in Light Years: 110
Diameter compared to Sun: ~5x
Luminosity compared to Sun: ~25x
Date best observed: Jul 28
Additional information: Below this dim star lies the Scorpion with its tail & stinger. Those bright stars are significantly far south of the real zodiac.