Summary
Gamma Persei (Gamma Per, γ Persei, γ Per) is a binary star system in the constellation Perseus. The combined apparent visual magnitude of the pair is +2.9,[2] making it the fourth-brightest member of the constellation. The distance to this system has been measured using the parallax technique, giving an estimate of roughly 243 light-years (75 parsecs) with a 4% margin of error.[1] About 4° to the north of Gamma Persei is the radiance point for the annual Perseid meteor shower.[9]
This is a wide eclipsing binary system with an orbital period of 5,329.8 days (14.6 years).[10] This eclipse was first observed in 1990 and lasted for two weeks.[11] During an eclipse, the primary passes in front of the secondary, causing the magnitude of the system to decrease by 0.55.[12] The primary component of this system is a giant star with a stellar classification of G9 III.[13] It has a projected rotational velocity of 50.0 km s−1 and a lengthy estimated rotation period of 14.6 years.[6] The classification of the secondary remains tentative, with assignments of A3 V[7] and A2(III).[13]
Mass estimates for the two stars remain disparate. Using speckle interferometry, McAlister (1982) obtained mass estimates of 4.73 M☉ for the primary and 2.75 M☉ for the secondary, where M☉ is the mass of the Sun. He noted that the mass estimate was too high for the given classification of the primary.[14] Martin and Mignard (1998) determined masses for both components based on data from the Hipparcos mission: 5.036 ± 0.951 M☉ for the primary and 2.295 ± 0.453 M☉ for the secondary. They admit that the high inclination of the orbit resulted in a large margin of error.[15] Prieto and Lambert (1999) came up with a mass estimate of 3.81 M☉ for the primary,[16] while Pizzolato and Maggio (2000) obtained 4.34 M☉.[6] Ling et al. (2001) obtained estimates of 2.7 M☉ for the primary and 1.65 M☉ for the secondary,[7] while Kaler (2001) obtained 2.5 and 1.9, respectively.[11]
Name and etymology edit
- This star, together with δ Per, ψ Per, σ Per, α Per and η Per, has been called the Segment of Perseus.[17]
- In Chinese, 天船 (Tiān Chuán), meaning Celestial Boat, refers to an asterism consisting of γ Persei, η Persei, α Persei, ψ Persei, δ Persei, 48 Persei, μ Persei and HD 27084. Consequently, the Chinese name for γ Persei itself is 天船二 (Tiān Chuán èr, English: the Second Star of Celestial Boat.)[18]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f van Leeuwen, F. (November 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
- ^ a b c d Johnson, H. L.; et al. (1966), "UBVRIJKL photometry of the bright stars", Communications of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, 4 (99): 99, Bibcode:1966CoLPL...4...99J
- ^ Malkov, O. Yu.; Tamazian, V. S.; Docobo, J. A.; Chulkov, D. A. (2012). "Dynamical masses of a selected sample of orbital binaries". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 546: A69. Bibcode:2012A&A...546A..69M. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201219774.
- ^ Samus, N. N.; Durlevich, O. V.; et al. (2009). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: General Catalogue of Variable Stars (Samus+ 2007-2013)". VizieR On-line Data Catalog: B/GCVS. Originally Published in: 2009yCat....102025S. 1. Bibcode:2009yCat....102025S.
- ^ Wilson, Ralph Elmer (1953), "General Catalogue of Stellar Radial Velocities", Washington, Washington: Carnegie Institution of Washington, Bibcode:1953GCRV..C......0W
- ^ a b c d e Pizzolato, N.; Maggio, A.; Sciortino, S. (September 2000), "Evolution of X-ray activity of 1-3 Msun late-type stars in early post-main-sequence phases", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 361: 614–628, Bibcode:2000A&A...361..614P
- ^ a b c d e f g Ling, J. F.; Magdalena, P.; Prieto, C. (October 2001), "Perturbations by Mass Loss in the Orbital Elements of γ Persei and α Centauri", Revista Mexicana de Astronomía y Astrofísica, 37: 179–186, Bibcode:2001RMxAA..37..179L
- ^ a b c McWilliam, Andrew (December 1990), "High-resolution spectroscopic survey of 671 GK giants", Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 74: 1075–1128, Bibcode:1990ApJS...74.1075M, doi:10.1086/191527
- ^ Burnham, Robert (1978), Burnham's celestial handbook: an observer's guide to the universe beyond the solar system, Dover books explaining science, vol. 3 (2nd ed.), Courier Dover Publications, p. 420, ISBN 0486236730
- ^ Pourbaix, D.; Boffin, H. M. J. (February 2003), "Reprocessing the Hipparcos Intermediate Astrometric Data of spectroscopic binaries. II. Systems with a giant component", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 398 (3): 1163–1177, arXiv:astro-ph/0211483, Bibcode:2003A&A...398.1163P, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20021736, S2CID 12361870
- ^ a b Kaler, James B. (January 5, 2001), "GAMMA PER (Gamma Persei)", Stars, University of Illinois, retrieved 2012-02-25
- ^ Malkov, O. Yu.; et al. (February 2006), "A catalogue of eclipsing variables", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 446 (2): 785–789, Bibcode:2006A&A...446..785M, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20053137, hdl:10995/73280
- ^ a b Ginestet, N.; Carquillat, J. M. (December 2002), "Spectral Classification of the Hot Components of a Large Sample of Stars with Composite Spectra, and Implication for the Absolute Magnitudes of the Cool Supergiant Components", The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 143 (2): 513–537, Bibcode:2002ApJS..143..513G, doi:10.1086/342942
- ^ McAlister, H. A. (March 1982), "Masses and luminosities for the giant spectroscopic/speckle interferometric binaries gamma Persei and phi Cygni", Astronomical Journal, 87: 563–569, Bibcode:1982AJ.....87..563M, doi:10.1086/113130
- ^ Martin, C.; Mignard, F. (February 1998), "Mass determination of astrometric binaries with Hipparcos. II. Selection of candidates and results", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 330: 585–599, Bibcode:1998A&A...330..585M
- ^ Allende Prieto, C.; Lambert, D. L. (1999), "Fundamental parameters of nearby stars from the comparison with evolutionary calculations: masses, radii and effective temperatures", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 352: 555–562, arXiv:0809.0359, Bibcode:1999A&A...352..555A, doi:10.1051/0004-6361/200811242, S2CID 14531031
- ^ Allen, R. H. (1963). Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning (Reprint ed.). New York: Dover Publications Inc. p. 331. ISBN 0-486-21079-0. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
- ^ (in Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 7 月 11 日