Zeta Virginis
 Location of ζ Virginis (circled) |
|
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Right ascension | 13h 34m 41.591s[1] |
| Declination | –00° 35′ 44.95″[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +3.376[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | A3 V[3] |
| U−B color index | +0.141[2] |
| B−V color index | +0.114[2] |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | –13.2[2] km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: –280.48 ± 0.17[1] mas/yr Dec.: +49.05 ± 0.12[1] mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 44.03 ± 0.19[1] mas |
| Distance | 74.1 ± 0.3 ly (22.71 ± 0.10 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | 1.64±0.05[4] |
| Details | |
| ζ Vir A | |
| Mass | 2.041±0.024[4] M☉ |
| Radius | 2.079±0.025[5] R☉ |
| Luminosity | 17.885±0.252[5] L☉ |
| Surface gravity (log g) | 4.12 cgs |
| Temperature | 8247±52[5] K |
| Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 222[6] km/s |
| Age | 0.51[7] Gyr |
| ζ Vir B | |
| Mass | 0.168+0.012 −0.016[4] M☉ |
| Other designations | |
Zeta Virginis (ζ Vir, ζ Virginis) is a star in the zodiac constellation of Virgo. Zeta Virginis has the proper name Heze, which is of unclear origin. It is visible to the naked eye with has an apparent visual magnitude is +3.376 [2] and is located about a half degree south of the celestial equator at a distance of 74.1 light-years (22.7 parsecs) from Earth.[2]
ζ Virginis is a main sequence star with a spectral class A3 V,[5] indicating that it is generating energy through the nuclear fusion of hydrogen at its core. This energy is being radiated from its outer envelope at an effective temperature of 8,247 K,[5] giving Zeta Virginis the white hue of an A-type star.[8] It has twice the mass and double the radius of the Sun and is about a half billion years old.[5][7]
In 2010, a low mass stellar companion was discovered, ζ Virginis B. The object has not been under observation for a sufficient length of time to determine accurate orbital elements. However, the pair are estimated to be orbiting at an average separation of at least 24.9 Astronomical Units and an orbital eccentricity of 0.16 or more. Their orbital period is a minimum of 124 years. This companion may be a red dwarf star, which would explain the observed X-ray flux from this system.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Vizier catalog entry
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Hipparcos star Zeta Virginis
- ↑ The stars of Virgo Alcyone Ephemeris
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Heze (Zeta Virginis), Kaler Stars
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Data catalog: Bibcode: 2006yCat..34630671R
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Boyajian, Tabetha S. et al., 2012. Stellar Diameters and Temperatures. I. Main-sequence A, F, and G Stars. The Astrophysical Journal vol 746 (1) p. 101 [1]
