Kappa Arae

Kappa Arae
Diagram showing star positions and boundaries of the Ara constellation and its surroundings
The location of κ Arae (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Ara
Right ascension 17h 26m 00.04169s[1]
Declination –50° 38′ 00.6417″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.21[2]
Characteristics
Spectral type G8 III[3]
B−V color index +1.05[2]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+17.3[4] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: +13.45[1] mas/yr
Dec.: +8.36[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)7.16 ± 0.40 mas[1]
Distance460 ± 30 ly
(140 ± 8 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)–0.58[5]
Details
Radius14[6] R☉
Surface gravity (log g)2.3[5] cgs
Temperature4,950[5] K
Metallicity [Fe/H]–0.3[5] dex
Other designations
CD–50° 11269, HD 157457, HIP 85312, HR 6468, SAO 244734.[7]
Database references
SIMBADdata

Kappa Arae (κ Ara, κ Arae) is the Bayer designation for a single[8] star in the southern constellation of Ara. Based upon parallax measurements, it is approximately 460 light-years (140 parsecs) distant from Earth, give or take a 30 light-year margin of error.[1] With an apparent visual magnitude of 5.21,[2] this star is faintly visible to the naked eye.

This is a giant star with a stellar classification of G8 III;[3] its outer envelope has expanded to about 14 times the radius of the Sun.[6] It is radiating energy into space at an effective temperature of 4,950 K.[5] This is hot enough for it to shine with the golden-hued glow of a G-type star.[9]

It has two 14th magnitude optical companions that are at an angular distance of 25 and 30 arcseconds.[citation needed]

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  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference mnrassa27_11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference houk1978 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  5. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference aaa342_831 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference aaa367_521 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference csiro was invoked but never defined (see the help page).