V1309 Scorpii

V1309 Scorpii
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0 (ICRS)      Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation Scorpius
Right ascension 17h 57m 32.93830s[1]
Declination −30° 43′ 09.96739″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 7.9[2] max.
Database references
SIMBADdata

V1309 Scorpii (also known as V1309 Sco) is a contact binary that merged into a single star in 2008 in a process known as a luminous red nova. It was the first star to provide conclusive evidence that contact binary systems end their evolution in a stellar merger. Its similarities to V838 Monocerotis and V4332 Sagittarii allowed scientists to identify these stars as merged contact binaries as well.[3]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference GaiaDR2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference gcvs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Tylenda, R.; Hajduk, M.; Kamiński, T.; Udalski, A.; Soszyński, I.; Szymański, M. K.; Kubiak, M.; Pietrzyński, G.; Poleski, R.; Wyrzykowski, Ł.; Ulaczyk, K. (2011). "V1309 Scorpii: Merger of a contact binary". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 528: A114. arXiv:1012.0163. Bibcode:2011A&A...528A.114T. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201016221. S2CID 119234303.