Tau3 Eridani

For other star systems with this Bayer designation, see Tau Eridani.
τ3 Eridani
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation Eridanus
Right ascension 03h 02m 23.49939s[1]
Declination −23° 37′ 28.0936″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 4.10[2]
Characteristics
Spectral type A3 IV-V[3]
U−B color index +0.08[2]
B−V color index +0.16[2]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−9.8[4] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −147.25[1] mas/yr
Dec.: −55.28[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)36.80 ± 0.18 mas[1]
Distance88.6 ± 0.4 ly
(27.2 ± 0.1 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)+1.91[5]
Details
Mass1.78[6] M☉
Radius1.9[7] R☉
Luminosity13.7[8] L☉
Surface gravity (log g)4.17[6] cgs
Temperature8,251±281[6] K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.21[3] dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)133[9] km/s
Age476[6] Myr
Other designations
τ3 Eridani, τ3 Eri, 11 Eridani, CD-24° 1387, HD 18978, HIP 14146, HR 919, SAO 168249.[10]
Database references
SIMBADdata

Tau3 Eridani, Latinized from τ3 Eridani, is a star in the constellation Eridanus. It is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.10.[2] Using the parallax method,[1] the distance to this star can be estimated as 88.6 light years. In 2001 it was reported as a candidate Vega-like star, meaning it appears to radiate an infrared excess from an orbiting circumstellar disk.[11] However, this has not been confirmed.[12]

This is an A-type star with a stellar classification of A3 IV-V.[3] The luminosity class of IV-V indicates the spectrum displays traits intermediate between a main sequence and subgiant star. It is around 476[6] million years old and is spinning rapidly with a projected rotational velocity of 133 km/s.[9] This is creating an equatorial bulge that might be 7% wider than the polar radius.[13] Tau3 Eridani has 178%[6] of the Sun's mass and nearly double the radius of the Sun.[7] The star shines with 13.7 times the solar luminosity from an outer atmosphere at an effective temperature of 8,251 K.[6]

  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 Mermilliod1986 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Gray2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference gcrv1953 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Anderson2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference trevor2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference cadars was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Mcdonald2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Royer2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference SIMBAD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Song2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Andras2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference vanbelle2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).