Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
---|---|
Constellation | Eridanus |
Right ascension | 04h 38m 10.82486s [1] |
Declination | −14° 18′ 14.4600″ [1] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 3.87 [2] (4.02/6.95) [3] |
Characteristics | |
Spectral type | K1III [4] |
U−B color index | +1.03 [5] |
B−V color index | +1.09 [5] |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | 43.33 ± 0.28 [6] km/s |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: -76.59 [1] mas/yr Dec.: -176.78 [1] mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 29.69 ± 0.37 mas [1] |
Distance | 110 ± 1 ly (33.7 ± 0.4 pc) |
Orbit [3] | |
Period (P) | 77.4 ± 1.5 yr |
Semi-major axis (a) | 0.7069 ± 0.0093″ |
Eccentricity (e) | 0.666 ± 0.017 |
Inclination (i) | 59.8 ± 1.8° |
Longitude of the node (Ω) | 171.25 ± 0.96° |
Periastron epoch (T) | 1976.77 ± 0.26 |
Argument of periastron (ω) (secondary) | 23.5 ± 1.8° |
Details | |
53 Eri A | |
Mass | 1.07 ± 0.25 [7] M☉ |
Radius | 9.8 [7] R☉ |
Luminosity | 37 [6] L☉ |
Surface gravity (log g) | 2.49 ± 0.23 [7] cgs |
Temperature | 4603 [6] K |
Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.11 [6] dex |
Other designations | |
Database references | |
SIMBAD | 53 Eri |
53 Eri A | |
53 Eri B |
53 Eridani (abbreviated 53 Eri), also designated l Eridani (l Eri), is a binary star in the constellation of Eridanus. The system has a combined apparent magnitude of 3.87. Parallax estimates made by the Hipparcos spacecraft put it at a distance of about 110 light-years, or 33.7 parsecs, from the Sun. [1]
The two components are designated 53 Eridani A (officially named Sceptrum) [8] and B.
53 Eridani is the system's Flamsteed designation; l Eridani is its Bayer designation. The designations of the two components as 53 Eridani A and B derive from the convention used by the Washington Multiplicity Catalog (WMC) for multiple star systems, and adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). [9]
53 Eridani bore the traditional name Latin : Sceptrum ('scepter'), as it was one of the brighter stars, designated "p Sceptri (Brandenburgici)", in the obsolete constellation of Sceptrum Brandenburgicum. The constellation was coined by Gottfried Kirch to honor the Brandenburg province of Prussia, and although it was later used in other atlases by Johann Elert Bode, the constellation fell out of use. [10] [11] In 2016, the IAU organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) [12] to catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN decided to attribute proper names to individual stars rather than entire multiple systems. [13] It approved the name Sceptrum for the component 53 Eridani A on 30 June 2017 and it is now so included in the List of IAU-approved Star Names. [8]
53 Eridani is a visual binary, where the orbit of the two stars is calculated from their orbital motions. The primary star, 53 Eridani A, is an evolved red giant with a spectral type of K1III. [4] It is almost ten times as wide as the Sun and slightly more massive than the Sun. [7] The secondary star, 53 Eridani B, has an apparent magnitude of 6.95 [3] and its spectral type is unknown. The two have an orbital period of 77 years and have a quite eccentric orbit at 0.666. [3] The total mass of the system is 2.49 M☉. [14]
Achernar is the brightest star in the constellation of Eridanus, and the ninth-brightest in the night sky. It has the Bayer designation Alpha Eridani, which is Latinized from α Eridani and abbreviated Alpha Eri or α Eri. The name Achernar applies to the primary component of a binary system. The two components are designated Alpha Eridani A and B, with the latter known informally as Achernar B. As determined by the Hipparcos astrometry satellite, this system is located at a distance of approximately 139 light-years from the Sun.
Castor is the second-brightest object in the zodiac constellation of Gemini. It has the Bayer designation α Geminorum, which is Latinised to Alpha Geminorum and abbreviated Alpha Gem or α Gem. With an apparent visual magnitude of 1.93, it is one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Castor appears singular to the naked eye, but it is actually a sextuple star system organized into three binary pairs. Although it is the 'α' (alpha) member of the constellation, it is fainter than 'β' (beta) Geminorum, Pollux.
40 Eridani is a triple star system in the constellation of Eridanus, abbreviated 40 Eri. It has the Bayer designation Omicron2 Eridani, which is Latinized from ο2 Eridani and abbreviated Omicron2 Eri or ο2 Eri. Based on parallax measurements taken by the Gaia mission, it is about 16.3 light-years from the Sun.
Atlas, designation 27 Tauri, is a triple star system in the constellation of Taurus. It is a member of the Pleiades, an open star cluster (M45). It is 431 light-years away, and is 3.92 degrees north of the ecliptic.
Theta Eridani, Latinized from θ Eridani, is a binary system in the constellation of Eridanus with a combined apparent magnitude of 2.88. Its two components are designated θ1 Eridani, formally named Acamar, and θ2 Eridani. The system's distance from the Sun based on parallax measurements is approximately 165 light-years.
Gamma Eridani, formally named Zaurak, is a variable star in the constellation of Eridanus. It is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude that varies around 2.9, and lies at a distance of about 203 light years from the Sun, as determined by the Hipparcos astrometry satellite.
Omicron Leonis is a multiple star system in the constellation of Leo, west of Regulus, some 130 light-years from the Sun, where it marks one of the lion's forepaws.
Rho Scorpii is a double star in the constellation of Scorpius. It has an apparent visual magnitude of +3.87, which is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. Based upon parallax measurements, it is located approximately 472 light years from the Sun. At that distance, the visual magnitude of the system is reduced by 0.07 due to extinction from interstellar dust. It is a member of the Upper Scorpius OB association.
Kappa Serpentis, Latinised from κ Serpentis, is a single, red-hued star in the constellation Serpens, in its head. It has the proper name Gudja and the Flamsteed designation 35 Serpentis. This star is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of +4.09. It is located approximately 382 light years from the Sun, based on parallax, and is drifting closer with a radial velocity of −38 km/s.
Iota Virginis is a binary star in the constellation of Virgo. Its apparent magnitude is 4.08. Based on its parallax, it is assumed to be relatively nearby, at 72.5 light-years.
Mu Ursae Majoris, formally named Tania Australis, is a binary star in the constellation of Ursa Major. An apparent visual magnitude of +3.06 places it among the brighter members of the constellation. Parallax measurements give an estimated distance of roughly 230 light-years from the Sun, with a margin of error of 4%.
Xi Cancri is a spectroscopic binary star system in the zodiac constellation of Cancer. It is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of +5.15. Based upon parallax measurements obtained during the Hipparcos mission, it is roughly 370 light-years distant from the Sun.
Eta Persei, is a binary star and the 'A' component of a triple star system in the constellation of Perseus. It is approximately 1331 light-years away from Earth.
Upsilon² Eridani, officially named Theemin, is a star in the constellation of Eridanus. It is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of 3.8. Based upon parallax measurements obtained during the Hipparcos mission, it is approximately 66 parsecs from the Sun.
Eta Eridani, officially named Azha, is a giant star in the constellation of Eridanus. Based on parallax measurements taken during the Hipparcos mission, it is approximately 137 light-years from the Sun.
Psi¹ Draconis, also designated 31 Draconis, is a triple star system in the northern constellation of Draco. The system is fairly close, and is located about 75 light-years from the Sun, based on its parallax.
Alpha Fornacis is a binary star system in the southern constellation of Fornax. It is the brightest star in the constellation and the only one brighter than magnitude 4.0. Based on parallax measurements obtained during the Hipparcos mission, it is approximately 46 light-years distant from the Sun.
Zeta Phoenicis is a multiple star system in the constellation of Phoenix. It is visible to the naked eye. Based upon parallax measurements made by the Hipparcos spacecraft, it is located some 300 light-years away.
Zeta Eridani is a binary star in the constellation of Eridanus. With an apparent visual magnitude of 4.80, it is visible to the naked eye on a clear dark night. Based on parallax measurements taken during the Hipparcos mission, it is approximately 110 light-years from the Sun.
Upsilon Pegasi, Latinised from υ Pegasi, is a star within the great square in the northern constellation of Pegasus. It has the proper name Alkarab. This object has a yellow-white hue and is faintly visible to the naked eye with an apparent magnitude of 4.40. It is located at a distance of approximately 170 light-years from the Sun based on parallax, but is drifting closer with a radial velocity of −8.6 km/s. The star is moving through the galaxy at a speed of 50.6 km/s relative to the Sun. Its projected galactic orbit carries it between 18,600 and 26,300 light-years from the center of the galaxy.