Gamma Eridani (γ Eridani, abbreviated Gamma Eri, γ Eri), formally named Zaurak /ˈzɔːræk/,[10][11] 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.
Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS) | |
---|---|
Constellation | Eridanus |
Right ascension | 03h 58m 01.76695s[1] |
Declination | −13° 30′ 30.6698″[1] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 2.88 - 2.96[2] |
Characteristics | |
Evolutionary stage | AGB[3] |
Spectral type | M0III-IIIb[4] |
U−B color index | +1.96[5] |
B−V color index | +1.58[5] |
Variable type | Lb?[2] |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | 60.81±0.25[6] km/s |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: +61.57[1] mas/yr Dec.: −113.11[1] mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 17.0016 ± 0.2254 mas[7] |
Distance | 192 ± 3 ly (58.8 ± 0.8 pc) |
Absolute magnitude (MV) | −1.19[8] |
Details | |
Radius | 80[6] R☉ |
Luminosity | 1,259[6] L☉ |
Surface gravity (log g) | 1.0[6] cgs |
Temperature | 3,811[6] K |
Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 3.8[6] km/s |
Other designations | |
Zaurac, Gamma Eridani, Gamma Eri, γ Eridani, γ Eri, 34 Eridani, 34 Eri, HD 25025, HIP 18543, HR 1231[9] | |
Database references | |
SIMBAD | data |
Gamma Eridani has been defined as a standard star for the spectral class M0III-IIIb.[4] It is a red giant on the asymptotic giant branch, fusing hydrogen and helium in separate shells outside its core.[3] Observations published in 1960 showed it to vary in brightness by a few hundredths of a magnitude.[13] In 1977, it was officially listed as a variable star in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars although the class of variable is uncertain.[14]
Gamma Eridani is the star's Bayer designation. It has the traditional name Zaurak, alternatively spelled Zaurac, which is one of the Persian words for 'boat'.[15] In 2016, the International Astronomical Union organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)[16] to catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN's first bulletin of July 2016[17] included a table of the first two batches of names approved by the WGSN; which included Zaurak for this star.
In Chinese, 天苑 (Tiān Yuàn), meaning Celestial Meadows, refers to an asterism consisting of γ Eridani, δ Eridani, π Eridani, ε Eridani, ζ Eridani, η Eridani, π Ceti, τ1 Eridani, τ2 Eridani, τ3 Eridani, τ4 Eridani, τ5 Eridani, τ6 Eridani, τ7 Eridani, τ8 Eridani and τ9 Eridani.[18] Consequently, the Chinese name for γ Eridani itself is 天苑一 (Tiān Yuàn yī, English: the First [Star] of Celestial Meadows.)[19]
USS Zaurak (AK-117) was a United States Navy Crater class cargo ship named after the star.