16 Lyncis

For other stars with a similar Bayer designation, see ψ Aurigae.
16 Lyncis
Location of 16 Lyncis (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Lynx
Right ascension 06h 57m 37.10709s[1]
Declination +45° 05′ 38.7404″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 4.90[2]
Characteristics
Spectral type A0Vn[3]
B−V color index 0.03[2]
Variable type suspected[4]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−11.90±1[5] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −21.52±0.27[1] mas/yr
Dec.: −3.12±0.17[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)13.54 ± 0.23 mas[1]
Distance241 ± 4 ly
(74 ± 1 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)0.56[6]
Details[7]
Mass2.38 M☉
Luminosity56[6] L☉
Surface gravity (log g)4.02 cgs
Temperature10,395±353 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)229 km/s
Age181 Myr
Other designations
Psi10 Aurigae, 16 Lyn, BD+45°1367, HD 50973, HIP 33485, HR 2585, SAO 41463[8]
Database references
SIMBADdata

16 Lyncis is a star in the constellation Lynx. It is positioned next to the western constellation border with Auriga, and is also known as Psi10 Aurigae, which is Latinized from ψ10 Auriga. The star has a white hue and is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.90.[2] The distance to this object is approximately 241[1] light-years based on parallax, but it is drifting closer to the Sun with a radial velocity of −12 km/s.[5] It has an absolute magnitude of 0.56.[6]

This object is a solitary[9] A-type main-sequence star with a stellar classification of A0Vn,[3] a star that is currently fusing its core hydrogen. The 'n' suffix indicates "nebulous" absorption lines due to rapid rotation. It is around 181 million years old with a projected rotational velocity of 229 km/s.[7] This spin rate is giving the star an oblate shape with an equatorial bulge that is an estimated 10% larger than the polar radius.[10] 16 Lyncis has 2.38[7] times the mass of the Sun and is radiating 56[6] times the Sun's luminosity from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 10,395 K.[7]

16 Lyncis is suspected of being slightly variable, but this has not been confirmed.[11] It was noted when 16 Lyncis was used as a comparison star for observing another variable, the peculiar HD 51418 (NY Aurigae).[4]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference van Leeuwen 2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference hr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference abt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference gulliver was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Gontcharov 2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Anderson2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference David2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference SIMBAD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Eggleton2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference belle2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference AAVSO was invoked but never defined (see the help page).