Eta Centauri

Eta Centauri, Latinized from η Centauri, is a star in the southern constellation of Centaurus. It has an apparent visual magnitude of +2.35[2] and is located at a distance of around 306 light-years (94 parsecs).[1]

A light curve for Eta Centauri, plotted from TESS data[10]
Not to be confused with H Centauri.
Eta Centauri
Location of η Centauri (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Centaurus
Right ascension 14h 35m 30.42416s[1]
Declination −42° 09′ 28.1708″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) +2.35[2] (2.30 - 2.41[3])
Characteristics
Spectral type B1.5 Vne[4]
U−B color index −0.862[2]
B−V color index −0.215[2]
Variable type GCAS[3] + LERI
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−0.2[5] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −34.73[1] mas/yr
Dec.: −32.72[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)10.67 ± 0.21 mas[1]
Distance306 ± 6 ly
(94 ± 2 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−2.53[6]
Details
Mass12.0±0.3[7] M☉
Radius6.10±0.12[8] R☉
Luminosity8,700[4] L☉
Surface gravity (log g)3.95±0.04[8] cgs
Temperature25,700[4] K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)330[4] km/s
Age5.6±1.0[7] Myr
Other designations
η Cen, CD−41°8917, CPD−41°6839, FK5 537, HD 127972, HIP 71352, HR 5440, SAO 225044.[9]
Database references
SIMBADdata

The stellar classification of this star is B1.5 Vne,[4] indicating that it is a B-type main sequence star. The 'n' suffix means that the absorption lines are broadened from rapid rotation and the 'e' that it shows emission lines in its spectrum. It has a projected rotational velocity of 330 km s−1[4] and completes a full rotation in less than a day.

As a Be star,[11] it has variable emissions in its hydrogen spectral lines. This emission can be modelled by a decretion disk of gas that has been ejected from the star by its rapid rotation and now follows a near-Keplerian orbit around the central body.[12] Its brightness is also slightly variable, and it is classified as a Gamma Cassiopeiae variable star with multiple periods of variability.[3] The International Variable Star Index lists Eta Centauri as both a Gamma Cassiopeiae variable and a Lambda Eridani variable with variations caused by its rotation and pulsations.[13]

Eta Centauri has about 12 times the mass of the Sun,[7] placing it above the dividing line between stars that evolve into white dwarfs and those that turn into supernovae. It is radiating 8,700[4] times the luminosity of the Sun from its outer atmosphere at an effective temperature of 25,700 K.[4] At this temperature, the star glows with the blue-white hue common to B-type stars.[14] Eta Centauri is a proper motion member of the Upper Centaurus–Lupus sub-group in the Scorpius–Centaurus OB association, the nearest such co-moving association of massive stars to the Sun.[15]

In traditional Chinese astronomy, Eta Centauri was known as 庫樓二[16] (meaning: the Second (Star) of Koo Low).[17]

References
  1. van Leeuwen, F. (November 2007), "Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 474 (2): 653–664, arXiv:0708.1752, Bibcode:2007A&A...474..653V, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078357, S2CID 18759600.
  2. Gutierrez-Moreno, Adelina; Moreno, Hugo (June 1968), "A photometric investigation of the Scorpio-Centaurus association", Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 15: 459, Bibcode:1968ApJS...15..459G, doi:10.1086/190168.
  3. Samus, N. N.; Durlevich, O. V.; et al. (2009), "VizieR Online Data Catalog: General Catalogue of Variable Stars (Samus+ 2007–2013)", VizieR On-line Data Catalog: B/gcvs, 1: 02025, Bibcode:2009yCat....102025S.
  4. Balona, L. A.; Dziembowski, W. A. (October 1999), "Excitation and visibility of high-degree modes in stars", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 309 (1): 221–232, Bibcode:1999MNRAS.309..221B, doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02821.x.
  5. Wielen, R.; et al. (1999), "Sixth Catalogue of Fundamental Stars (FK6). Part I. Basic fundamental stars with direct solutions", Veröff. Astron. Rechen-Inst. Heidelb, Astronomisches Rechen-Institut Heidelberg, 35 (35): 1, Bibcode:1999VeARI..35....1W.
  6. Anderson, E.; Francis, Ch. (2012), "XHIP: An extended hipparcos compilation", Astronomy Letters, 38 (5): 331, arXiv:1108.4971, Bibcode:2012AstL...38..331A, doi:10.1134/S1063773712050015, S2CID 119257644.
  7. Tetzlaff, N.; Neuhäuser, R.; Hohle, M. M. (January 2011), "A catalogue of young runaway Hipparcos stars within 3 kpc from the Sun", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 410 (1): 190–200, arXiv:1007.4883, Bibcode:2011MNRAS.410..190T, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.17434.x, S2CID 118629873.
  8. Arcos, C.; et al. (March 2018), "Stellar parameters and H α line profile variability of Be stars in the BeSOS survey", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 474 (4): 5287–5299, arXiv:1711.08675, Bibcode:2018MNRAS.474.5287A, doi:10.1093/mnras/stx3075.
  9. "eta Cen", SIMBAD, Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg, retrieved 2012-03-03.
  10. MAST: Barbara A. Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes, Space Telescope Science Institute, retrieved 8 December 2021.
  11. Janot-Pacheco, E., Leister NV, et al. (1999), "Multi-periodicity of the Be star η Centauri from spectroscopic and photometric observations", Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series, 137 (3): 407, Bibcode:1999A&AS..137..407J, doi:10.1051/aas:1999256.
  12. Silaj, J.; Jones, C. E.; Tycner, C.; Sigut, T. A. A.; Smith, A. D. (March 2010), "A Systematic Study of Hα Profiles of Be Stars", Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 187 (1): 228–250, Bibcode:2010ApJS..187..228S, doi:10.1088/0067-0049/187/1/228, S2CID 122679154.
  13. Watson, C. L. (2006), "The International Variable Star Index (VSX)", The Society for Astronomical Sciences 25th Annual Symposium on Telescope Science. Held May 23–25, 25: 47, Bibcode:2006SASS...25...47W.
  14. "The Colour of Stars", Australia Telescope, Outreach and Education, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, December 21, 2004, archived from the original on 2012-03-18, retrieved 2012-01-16.
  15. de Geus, E. J.; de Zeeuw, P. T.; Lub, J. (June 1989), "Physical parameters of stars in the Scorpio-Centaurus OB association", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 216 (1–2): 44–61, Bibcode:1989A&A...216...44D.
  16. (in Chinese) 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, ISBN 978-986-7332-25-7.
  17. Allen, R. H. (1963), Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning (Reprint ed.), New York, NY: Dover Publications Inc., p. 154, ISBN 0-486-21079-0.
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