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Zeta Virginis

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Zeta Virginis
Diagram showing star positions and boundaries of the Virgo constellation and its surroundings
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 mas[1]
Distance74.1 ± 0.3 ly
(22.71 ± 0.10 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)1.64±0.05[4]
Details
ζ Vir A
Mass2.041±0.024[4] M
Radius2.079±0.025[5] R
Luminosity17.885±0.252[5] L
Surface gravity (log g)4.12 cgs
Temperature8247±52[5] K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)222[6] km/s
Age0.51[7] Gyr
ζ Vir B
Mass0.168+0.012
−0.016
[4] M
Other designations
Heze, Kheze, 79 Virginis, BD+00 3076, FK5 501, GJ 3792, HD 118098, HIP 66249, HR 5107, SAO 139420.

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. ^ a b c d e van Leeuwen, F. (2007). "Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 474 (2): 653–664. arXiv:0708.1752. Bibcode:2007A&A...474..653V. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078357. Vizier catalog entry
  2. ^ a b c d e f Hipparcos star Zeta Virginis
  3. ^ The stars of Virgo Alcyone Ephemeris
  4. ^ a b c d Hinkley, Sasha (March 2010), "Discovery and Characterization of a Faint Stellar Companion to the A3V Star ζ Virginis", The Astrophysical Journal, 712 (1): 421–428, arXiv:1002.1074, Bibcode:2010ApJ...712..421H, doi:10.1088/0004-637X/712/1/421
  5. ^ a b c d e f Heze (Zeta Virginis), Kaler Stars
  6. ^ Royer, F.; Zorec, J.; Gómez, A. E. (February 2007), "Rotational velocities of A-type stars. III. Velocity distributions", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 463 (2): 671–682, arXiv:astro-ph/0610785, Bibcode:2007A&A...463..671R, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20065224 Data catalog: Bibcode:2006yCat..34630671R
  7. ^ a b Su, K. Y. L. (December 2006), "Debris Disk Evolution around A Stars", The Astrophysical Journal, 653 (1): 675–689, arXiv:astro-ph/0608563, Bibcode:2006ApJ...653..675S, doi:10.1086/508649
  8. ^ "The Colour of Stars", Australia Telescope, Outreach and Education, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, December 21, 2004, retrieved 2012-01-16
  • 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]

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