Mu Pictoris

Mu Pictoris
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation Pictor
Right ascension 06h 31m 58.31021s[1]
Declination −58° 45′ 13.8117″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.69[2] (5.71 + 9.43)[3]
Characteristics
Spectral type B9 Ve[4] or B9 IVn + A8 V:p?[5]
U−B color index −0.17[2]
B−V color index −0.06[2]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+0.40±1.00[6] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −1.34[1] mas/yr
Dec.: +1.77[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)4.31 ± 0.38 mas[1]
Distance760 ± 70 ly
(230 ± 20 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)0.20/3.75[7]
Details
μ Pic A
Mass3.60±0.09[8] M☉
Luminosity355[8] L☉
Temperature10,568[8] K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)228[8] km/s
Other designations
μ Pic, CPD−58° 722, HD 46860, HIP 31137, HR 2412, SAO 234564[9]
Database references
SIMBADdata

μ Pictoris, Latinised as Mu Pictoris, is a binary star[3] system in the southern constellation Pictor. It is bright enough to be dimly visible to the naked eye, having a combined apparent visual magnitude of 5.69.[2] Based upon an annual parallax shift of 4.31 mas as seen from Earth,[1] the system is located roughly 760 light years distant from the Sun. As of 2010, the pair have an angular separation of 2.46 arc seconds along a position angle of 221°.[4]

The primary, designated component A, is a blue-white star with a visual magnitude of 5.71[3] and a stellar classification of B9 Ve[4] or B9 IVn.[5] The first classification suggests is a B-type main-sequence star, with the 'e' suffix indicating a Be star. The second may instead indicate a somewhat more evolved B-type star that is spinning rapidly, resulting in "nebulous" absorption lines. Photometrically, it shows a pulsation period of 0.397 days, which is likely the same as the rotation period.[10]

The secondary companion, component B, is a white-hued star of magnitude 9.43[3] with a classification of A8 V:p?.[5] This indicates it is an A-type main-sequence star, with the 'p?' suffix suggesting it may be chemically peculiar while the ':' notation says there is some uncertainty about the general classification.

  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 Cite error: The named reference Hurly1975 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Eggleton2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Oudmaijer2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference corbally1984 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference deBruijne2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Corbally1984 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Zorec2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference SIMBAD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Balona1995 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).