k Puppis

k¹ Puppis

Observation data Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation	Puppis
Right ascension	07h 38m 49.88s
Declination	-26° 48' 14.0"
Apparent magnitude (V)	+4.50
Absolute magnitude (V)	-1.92
Distance	454 ly (139.26 pc)
Spectral type	B6V
Other designations
HR 2948, HD 61555, SAO 174198, NSV 3673, HIP 37229

k² Puppis

Observation data Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation	Puppis
Right ascension	07h 38m 49.80s
Declination	-26° 48' 13.0"
Apparent magnitude (V)	+4.62
Absolute magnitude (V)	-1.81
Distance	462 ly (141.72 pc)
Spectral type	B5IV
Other designations
HR 2949, HD 61556, SAO 174199, NSV 3673

k Puppis (k Pup, k Puppis) is a Bayer designation given to an optical double star in the constellation Puppis, the two components being k¹ Puppis and k² Puppis. Note that the designation here is "k" not "kappa" (κ) as some astronomers teach. Many of Puppis' stellar designations are English labels. This pair of stars is given the traditional Arabic name Markeb or Markab.

Both k¹ Puppis and k² Puppis are bright blue B-type giant stars of nearly equal brightness, +4.50 and +4.62, respectively. To the naked eye, the pair has a combined magnitude of +3.80. On the sky, the two stars are separated by approximately 9.9 seconds of arc along PA 318°. The optical pair can be distinguished easily with a small telescope. The component k¹ Puppis is a binary star system in its own right, while k² Puppis is a variable star. Each star within the k Puppis optical pair is between 450 and 470 light years from Earth.

External links

• Puppis