Kappa Velorum

Kappa Velorum
(Markeb)
Location of κ Vel (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Vela
Right ascension 09h 22m 06.81761s[1]
Declination –55° 00′ 38.4017″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 2.48[2]
Characteristics
Spectral type B2 IV[2]
U−B color index –0.78[2]
B−V color index –0.20[2]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)21.9[3] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: –11.40[1] mas/yr
Dec.: +11.52[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)5.70 ± 0.30 mas[1]
Distance570 ± 30 ly
(175 ± 9 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−3.74[4]
Orbit[5]
Period (P)116.65 days
Eccentricity (e)0.19
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)		46.5 km/s
Details
Mass10 – 11[6] M☉
Radius9.1[6] R☉
Luminosity18,400[6] L☉
Temperature21,300[6] K
Rotation8.7[6] days
Age16 – 20[6] Myr
Other designations
Markeb, HR 3734, HD 81188, SAO 236891, FK5 353, CPD-54°2219, GC 12938, HIP 45941[7]
Database references
SIMBADdata

Kappa Velorum (κ Velorum, abbreviated Kappa Vel, κ Vel; proper name Markeb[8] /ˈmɑːrkɛb/) is a binary star system in the southern constellation of Vela. The two components are designated Kappa Velorum A and B.

From parallax measurements, this system is located at a distance of roughly 572 light-years (175 parsecs) from the Sun. The apparent visual magnitude is 2.48,[2] making it readily visible to the naked eye in the southern hemisphere. It forms part of an asterism known as the False Cross along with Delta Velorum, Iota Carinae and Epsilon Carinae, so called because it is sometimes mistaken for the Southern Cross, causing errors in astronavigation.[9]

  1. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference aaa474_2_653 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference aaass27_343 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference rgcrv was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Anderson2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference aaa424_727 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference kaler was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference SIMBAD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "Naming Stars". IAU.org. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  9. ^ Moore, Patrick (2010). Patrick Moore's Astronomy: Teach Yourself. Hachette. ISBN 978-1444129779.