Gamma Corvi
 Location of γ Corvi (center). |
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| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 |
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|---|---|
| Constellation | Corvus |
| Right ascension | 12h 15m 48.3702s[1] |
| Declination | −17° 32′ 30.946″[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 2.59 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | B8III[2] |
| U−B color index | −0.344[3] |
| B−V color index | −0.111[3] |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | -4.2[4] km/s |
| Parallax (π) | 19.78 ± 0.81[1] mas |
| Distance | 165 ± 7 ly (51 ± 2 pc) |
| Details | |
| Mass | 5.7 ± 0.3[5] M☉ |
| Radius | 4.8 ± 0.4[5] R☉ |
| Luminosity | 1,260[5] L☉ |
| Surface gravity (log g) | 3.72 ± 0.20[5] |
| Temperature | 15,900 ± 700[5] K |
| Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 30[6] km/s |
| Other designations | |
Gamma Corvi (γ Crv, γ Corvi) is the brightest star in the constellation Corvus. Its traditional name is Gienah, which it shares with Epsilon Cygni. The name "Gienah Corvi" (or "Gienah Ghurab") may be used to distinguish it from this Gienah in Cygnus.
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[edit] Properties
This star has a stellar classification of B8III, indicating it is a giant star. It is located at a distance of about 165 light years from the Sun. This is a candidate binary star that may have a companion.[7]
[edit] Etymology and cultural significance
"Gienah" derives from Arabic, from Ulugh Beg's الجناح الغراب اليمن al-janāħ al-ghirāb al-yaman, meaning "the right wing of the crow", although on modern charts it marks the left wing.
Al-janāħ al-ghirāb al-yaman or Djenah al Ghyrab al Eymen was appeared in the catalogue of stars in the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket, which was translated into Latin as Dextra ala Corvi.[8]
In Chinese, 軫宿 (Zhěn Sù), meaning Chariot (asterism), refers to an asterism consisting of γ Corvi, ε Corvi, δ Corvi and β Corvi.[9] Consequently, γ Corvi itself is known as 軫宿一 (Zhěn Sù yī, English: the First Star of Chariot.).[10]
In astrology, Gienah is supposed to have a similar effect to Mars and Saturn, tending to promote greed and craftiness. It was one of the medieval Behenian stars, associated with onyx, burdock, and a crow-like kabbalistic symbol 
. In this context it is sometimes referred to as Ala Corvi, "the wing of the crow or raven."
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Perryman, M. A. C. et al. (1997), "The Hipparcos Catalogue", Astronomy & Astrophysics 323: L49–L52, Bibcode 1997A&A...323L..49P
- ^ a b "GIENAH CORVI -- Variable Star". SIMBAD. Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg. http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=HD+106625. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
- ^ a b Cousins, A. W. J. (1984). "Standardization of Broadband Photometry of Equatorial Standards". Cicrulars of the South African Astronomical Observatory 8: 59. Bibcode 1984SAAOC...8...59C.
- ^ Wilson, Ralph Elmer (1953). General Catalogue of Stellar Radial Velocities. Washington: Carnegie Institution of Washington. Bibcode 1953QB901.W495......
- ^ a b c d e Hubrig, S. et al. (January 2009), "New magnetic field measurements of beta Cephei stars and Slowly Pulsating B stars", Astronomische Nachrichten 330 (4): 317, arXiv:0902.1314, Bibcode 2009AN....330..317H, doi:10.1002/asna.200811187
- ^ Abt, Helmut A.; Levato, Hugo; Grosso, Monica (July 2002). "Rotational Velocities of B Stars". The Astrophysical Journal 573 (1): 359–365. Bibcode 2002ApJ...573..359A. doi:10.1086/340590.
- ^ Roberts, Lewis C.. "Adaptive Optics Photometry and Astrometry of Binary Stars. II. A Multiplicity Survey of B Stars". The Astronomical Journal 133 (2): 545. Bibcode 2007AJ....133..545R. doi:10.1086/510335.
- ^ Knobel, E. B. (June 1895). "Al Achsasi Al Mouakket, on a catalogue of stars in the Calendarium of Mohammad Al Achsasi Al Mouakket". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 55: 429. Bibcode 1895MNRAS..55..429K.
- ^ (Chinese) 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, ISBN 978-986-7332-25-7.
- ^ (Chinese) 香港太空館 - 研究資源 - 亮星中英對照表, Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
[edit] External links
- Kaler, Jim (2004). "STARS: Gienah Corvi". Retrieved July 11, 2005.
- Wright, Anne (2003). "The Fixed Stars: Gienah (Crv)". Retrieved July 11, 2005.
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