42 Cancri is a single[7] star in the northern zodiac constellation of Cancer. With an apparent visual magnitude of 6.83,[2] it is dimmer than what is considered the normal lower limit for visibility with the naked eye. The star is located at a distance of approximately 616 light years from the Sun based on parallax, and is drifting further away with a radial velocity of +35 km/s.[2] 42 Cancri is a member of the Beehive Cluster (NGC 2632).[7]
Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
---|---|
Constellation | Cancer |
Right ascension | 08h 40m 43.20572s[1] |
Declination | +19° 43′ 09.5359″[1] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 6.83[2] |
Characteristics | |
Spectral type | A7III[3] |
B−V color index | 0.202±0.004[2] |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | +34.6±0.9[2] km/s |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: −36.167±0.102[1] mas/yr Dec.: −12.105±0.063[1] mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 5.2981 ± 0.0548 mas[1] |
Distance | 616 ± 6 ly (189 ± 2 pc) |
Absolute magnitude (MV) | 0.56[2] |
Details | |
Mass | 2.39±0.03[4] M☉ |
Radius | 4.22±0.27[4] R☉ |
Luminosity | 51.5±0.7[1] L☉ |
Temperature | 7,607+258 −313[1] K |
Metallicity [Fe/H] | −0.08±0.03[4] dex |
Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 195[5] km/s |
Age | 603±28[4] Myr |
Other designations | |
Database references | |
SIMBAD | data |
The stellar classification of this star is A7III,[3] matching an A-type star that is in the giant stage. However, this may be a misclassification of a main sequence star.[8] It has also been classified as a spectroscopic binary,[5] although no orbital elements are published. 42 Cancri is an estimated 603[4] million years old and is spinning rapidly with a projected rotational velocity of 195 km/s.[5] The star has 2.39 times the mass of the Sun and 4.2 times the Sun's radius.[4] It is radiating 51.5[1] times the luminosity of the Sun from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 7,607 K.[1]