Beta Capricorni

β¹/β² Capricorni
Beta Capricorni circled on a chart of Capricorn; the map is to be held up as with most sky maps so that the right of page is west.
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Capricornus
Right ascension 20h 21m 0.7s [citation needed]
Declination 14° 46′ 53″ [citation needed]
Apparent magnitude (V) +3.05/+6.09 [citation needed]
Characteristics
Spectral type K0II+B8V/A0III
U−B color index 0.28/−0.11
B−V color index 0.79/−0.02
Variable type none
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−19/−18 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 48.42/42.64 mas/yr
Dec.: 14.00/0.37 mas/yr
Parallax (π)8.3966 ± 0.6348 mas[1]
Distance390 ± 30 ly
(119 ± 9 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−2.03/+1.03[2]
Other designations
Dabih, Dabikh, Dikhabda, 9 Capricorni, FK5 762, WDS J20210-1447AB
β1 Cap: BD−15° 5629, HD 193495, HIP 100345, HR 7776, WDS J20210-1447A
β2 Cap: BD−15° 5626, HD 193452, HIP 100325, HR 7775, WDS J20210-1447B
Database references
SIMBADβ Cap
β1 Cap
β2 Cap

Beta Capricorni (β Capricorni, abbreviated Beta Cap, β Cap) is a multiple star system in the constellation of Capricornus and located 328 light-years from the Sun. Because it is near the ecliptic, Beta Capricorni can be occulted by the Moon,[3] and also (rarely) by planets.

The system is believed to consist of five stars.[4] With binoculars or a small telescope, Beta Capricorni can be resolved into a binary pair. The brighter of the two is designated Beta1 Capricorni or Beta Capricorni A; the dimmer, Beta2 Capricorni or Beta Capricorni B. Both are themselves made up of multiple stars. Beta1 Capricorni has three components; a single star designated Beta Capricorni Aa (formally named Dabih /ˈdb/, the traditional name of the system)[5][6] and a binary pair, Beta Capricorni Ab (whose two components are designated Beta Capricorni Ab1 and Ab2). Beta2 Capricorni is also a binary pair, with components designated Beta Capricorni Ba and Bb.

Two other nearby stars were discovered by John Herschel. Sometimes referred to as Beta Capricorni D and E, it is unclear whether they are simply optical doubles or part of the Beta Capricorni system.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Brown, A. G. A.; et al. (Gaia collaboration) (2021). "Gaia Early Data Release 3: Summary of the contents and survey properties". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 649: A1. arXiv:2012.01533. Bibcode:2021A&A...649A...1G. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202039657. S2CID 227254300. (Erratum: doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202039657e). Gaia EDR3 record for this source at VizieR.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Anderson2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference White1987 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Displaying next number in catalog HIP => 100345". Multiple Star Catalog. Archived from the original on 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  5. ^ Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sky Pub. ISBN 978-1-931559-44-7.
  6. ^ "Naming Stars". IAU.org. Retrieved 18 June 2018.