Zeta Tucanae
Star in the constellation Tucana
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Zeta Tucanae, Latinized from ζ Tucanae, is a star in the constellation Tucana. It is a spectral class F9.5 main sequence star. Based upon parallax measurements by the Hipparcos spacecraft, it is approximately 28.0 light years from Earth.[12] This is one of the least variable stars observed during the Hipparcos mission.[5][13] The star is faintly visible to the naked eye, at an apparent magnitude of +4.23.
 | |
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox ICRS | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Tucana |
| Right ascension | 00h 20m 04.2586s[1] |
| Declination | −64° 52′ 29.257″[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 4.23[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Evolutionary stage | main sequence[1] |
| Spectral type | F9.5 V[3] |
| U−B color index | 0.02[4] |
| B−V color index | 0.58[4] |
| Variable type | None[5] |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | 9.280±0.0003[6] km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: 1706.747±0.162[1] mas/yr Dec.: 1164.959±0.156[1] mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 116.1826±0.1334 mas[1] |
| Distance | 28.07 ± 0.03 ly (8.607 ± 0.010 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | 4.67[7] |
| Details | |
| Mass | 0.985±0.033[8] M☉ |
| Radius | 1.044±0.010[8] R☉ |
| Luminosity | 1.232±0.039[8] L☉ |
| Surface gravity (log g) | 4.394±0.007[8] cgs |
| Temperature | 5,924±130[8] K |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | −0.21±0.09[8] dex |
| Rotation | 15.6534±0.0066[9] days |
| Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 3.295±0.259[10] km/s |
| Age | 5.3±0.5[8] Gyr |
| Other designations | |
| ζ Tuc, FK5 10, GC 401, GJ 17, HD 1581, HIP 1599, HR 77, SAO 248163, LHS 5, LTT 167[11] | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
Characteristics
Zeta Tucanae is a solar-type star, with similar mass, radius, luminosity, and effective temperature as the Sun, and has an estimated age of 5.3 billion years. Despite having a slightly lower mass, this star is more luminous than the Sun.[8] It is slightly metal-poor,[8] which means the portion of elements heavier than helium is smaller relative to the Sun. The solar-like qualities make it a target of interest for investigating the possible existence of a life-bearing planet.[13]
Zeta Tucanae has a rotation period of 15.65 days,[14][9] and possesses a magnetic activity cycle with period of approximately 950 days.[9][15]
The components of this star's space velocity are U = −60, V = −4 and W = −38 km/s. These correspond to the velocity toward the Galactic Center, the velocity along the direction of galactic rotation, and the velocity toward the north galactic pole, respectively.[16] It is orbiting through the galaxy at a mean distance of 8.4 kpc from the Galactic Center and with an orbital eccentricity of 0.16.[13]
Based upon an excess emission of infrared radiation at 70 micrometres, this system is believed to have a debris disk. It is radiating with a maximum temperature of 218 K, corresponding to a minimum distance from the star of 2.3 astronomical units.[17]
As of 2025, no planet has been discovered in orbit around this star.[9]