E Centauri
B-type or A-type main sequence star in the constellation Centaurus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
E Centauri is a single[8] star in the southern constellation of Centaurus. It is a white-hued star that is dimly visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of +5.34.[1] The distance to this object is approximately 560 light years based on parallax, and it has an absolute magnitude of −0.97.[1] It is drifting closer to the Sun with a radial velocity of +7 km/s,[1] and it is a candidate member of the Lower Centaurus Crux subgroup of the Sco OB2 association.[9]
| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Centaurus[1] |
| Right ascension | 12h 08m 14.70518s[2] |
| Declination | −48° 41′ 33.0323″[2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +5.34[1] |
| Characteristics | |
| Evolutionary stage | subgiant[3] |
| Spectral type | B9.5/A0V[4] |
| B−V color index | −0.010±0.007[1] |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | +7.2±0.5[1] km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: −27.271[2] mas/yr Dec.: −7.342[2] mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 5.8040±0.2042 mas[2] |
| Distance | 560 ± 20 ly (172 ± 6 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | −0.97[1] |
| Details | |
| Mass | 3.38±0.09[3] M☉ |
| Radius | 5.84[5] R☉ |
| Luminosity | 302+39 −35[3] L☉ |
| Surface gravity (log g) | 3.16[5] cgs |
| Temperature | 9,886±69[3] K |
| Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 74[3] km/s |
| Age | 277[6] Myr |
| Other designations | |
| E Cen, CD−47°7396, FK5 446, GC 16581, HD 105416, HIP 59184, HR 4620, SAO 223235[7] | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
This is a late B- or early A-type main-sequence star with a stellar classification of B9.5/A0V,[4] which indicates it is generating energy via core hydrogen fusion. It has 3.4[3] times the mass of the Sun and is spinning with a projected rotational velocity of 74 km/s.[3] The star is radiating 302[3] times the luminosity of the Sun from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 9,886 K.[3]