Xi Arietis, Latinized from ξ Arietis, is the Bayer designation for a binary star[7] system in the northern constellation of Aries. It has an apparent visual magnitude of 5.46,[2] and so is dimly visible to the naked eye. Based upon an annual parallax shift of 3.74±0.29 mas as seen from Earth, it is 872 ± 68 light-years (267 ± 21 parsecs) distant from the Sun. At that distance, the visual magnitude of the star is diminished by an extinction factor of 0.24 due to interstellar dust.[4]
Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS) | |
---|---|
Constellation | Aries |
Right ascension | 02h 24m 49.05655s[1] |
Declination | +10° 36′ 38.0236″[1] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | +5.46[2] |
Characteristics | |
Spectral type | B7 IV[3] |
U−B color index | −0.48[2] |
B−V color index | −0.10[2] |
Astrometry | |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: +20.09[1] mas/yr Dec.: −14.79[1] mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 3.74 ± 0.29 mas[1] |
Distance | 870 ± 70 ly (270 ± 20 pc) |
Absolute magnitude (MV) | −0.43[4] |
Details | |
Mass | 3.9[5] M☉ |
Surface gravity (log g) | 3.897±0.017[5] cgs |
Temperature | 13627±100[5] K |
Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 164±8[5] km/s |
Age | 195[4] Myr |
Other designations | |
Database references | |
SIMBAD | data |
This is a double-lined spectroscopic binary.[7] The spectrum matches a stellar classification of B7 IV,[3] which would indicate a subgiant star that has exhausted the supply of hydrogen at its core and is in the process of evolving into a giant star. Xi Arietis was once a designation for Psi Ceti (ψ Cet, ψ Ceti).[8]