Astronomy:M Centauri

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Short description: Star in the constellation Centaurus
M Centauri
Observation data
Equinox J2000.0]] (ICRS)
Constellation Centaurus
Right ascension  13h 46m 39.378s[1]
Declination −51° 25′ 57.95″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.64
Characteristics
Spectral type G8-K0III
U−B color index +0.72
B−V color index +0.96
Variable type none
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−6 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 10.00 ± 0.42[1] mas/yr
Dec.: -27.62 ± 0.34[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)12.42 ± 0.48[1] mas
Distance260 ± 10 ly
(81 ± 3 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)+0.16
Orbit[2]
PrimaryM Centauri A
CompanionM Centauri B
Period (P)437 days
Semi-major axis (a)6.45 mas
Eccentricity (e)0.13
Inclination (i)48.2°
Longitude of the node (Ω)280.3°
Periastron epoch (T)2424163.0
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
58.6°
Other designations
HR 5172, HD 119834, CD−50°8017, HIP 67234, SAO 241157, GC 18607, CCDM J13467-5126
Database references
SIMBADdata

M Centauri (M Cen) is a binary star in the constellation Centaurus. It is approximately 260 light years from Earth.

M Centauri is a yellow G-type giant with an apparent magnitude of +4.64. It is a spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 437 days.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 van Leeuwen, F. (2007). "Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction". Astronomy and Astrophysics 474 (2): 653–664. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078357. Bibcode2007A&A...474..653V.  Vizier catalog entry
  2. Jancart, S. (2005). "Astrometric orbits of SB9 stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics 442 (1): 365–380. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20053003. Bibcode2005A&A...442..365J.