M Centauri (M Cen) is a binary star in the constellation Centaurus. It is approximately 260 light years from Earth.

M Centauri
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Centaurus
Right ascension 13h 46m 39.378s[1]
Declination −51° 25′ 57.95″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.64
Characteristics
Spectral type G8-K0III
U−B color index +0.72
B−V color index +0.96
Variable type none
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−6 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 10.00 ± 0.42[1] mas/yr
Dec.: -27.62 ± 0.34[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)12.42 ± 0.48 mas[1]
Distance260 ± 10 ly
(81 ± 3 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)+0.16
Orbit[2]
PrimaryM Centauri A
CompanionM Centauri B
Period (P)437 days
Semi-major axis (a)6.45 mas
Eccentricity (e)0.13
Inclination (i)48.2°
Longitude of the node (Ω)280.3°
Periastron epoch (T)2424163.0
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
58.6°
Other designations
HR 5172, HD 119834, CD−50°8017, HIP 67234, SAO 241157, GC 18607, CCDM J13467-5126
Database references
SIMBADdata

M Centauri is a yellow G-type giant with an apparent magnitude of +4.64. It is a spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 437 days.

References edit

  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. S2CID 18759600. Vizier catalog entry
  2. ^ Jancart, S. (2005). "Astrometric orbits of SB9 stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 442 (1): 365–380. arXiv:astro-ph/0507695. Bibcode:2005A&A...442..365J. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20053003. S2CID 15123997.