Gamma Canis Minoris

γ Canis Minoris
Location of γ Canis Minoris (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation Canis Minor
Right ascension 07h 28m 09.79333s[1]
Declination +08° 55′ 31.9068″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.33[2] (4.46 + 6.66)[2]
Characteristics
Spectral type K3 III Fe-0.5[3] (K4 III + K1: III)[2]
U−B color index +1.53[4]
B−V color index +1.43[4]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)46.8±0.3[5] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −61.09[1] mas/yr
Dec.: −10.70[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)10.25 ± 0.47 mas[1]
Distance320 ± 10 ly
(98 ± 4 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−0.5±0.1[2]
Absolute magnitude (MV)1.7±0.2[2]
Orbit[2]
Period (P)389.310 ± 0.012d
Semi-major axis (a)17 mas
Eccentricity (e)0.25856 ± 0.00039
Inclination (i)66°
Periastron epoch (T)2449849.172 ± 0.089 HJD
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)		142.079 ± 0.090°
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)		21.243 ± 0.010 km/s
Semi-amplitude (K2)
(secondary)		21.526 ± 0.017 km/s
Details[2]
γ CMi A
Mass1.88 M☉
Radius36.8±2.6 R☉
Luminosity321±33 L☉
Temperature4,036±100 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)5±2 km/s
Age1.3 Gyr
γ CMi B
Mass1.85 M☉
Radius7.8±1.0 R☉
Luminosity25.4±5.2 L☉
Temperature4,658±200 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)2.0±2.0 km/s
Other designations
γ CMi, 4 CMi, BD+09°1660, GC 9974, HD 58972, HIP 36284, HR 2854, SAO 115478, ADS 6100, CCDM 07281+0856, WDS J07282+0856A[6]
Database references
SIMBADdata

Gamma Canis Minoris (γ Canis Minoris) is a binary star system in the equatorial constellation Canis Minor. Its orange colour is obvious when seen through binoculars.[7] The system is visible to the naked eye with a combined apparent visual magnitude of +4.33.[2] Based upon an annual parallax shift of 10.25 mas as seen from Earth,[1] this system is located about 320 light years from the Sun.

This spectroscopic binary star system has an orbital period of 389.31 days, a semimajor axis of 1.48 AU, and an eccentricity of 0.2586.[2] Their variable radial velocity was discovered by H. M. Reese in 1902 at Lick Observatory.[8] Both components are evolved, K-type giant stars, most likely on their first ascent along the red giant branch. The primary, component A, has a stellar classification of K4 III while the secondary, component B, may be K1: III.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference vanLeeuwen2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Cite error: The named reference Fekel2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference perkins1989 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Johnson1966 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference deBruijne2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference SIMBAD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference kambic2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Campbell1902 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).