Theta¹ Orionis C

Starbox begin
name=Theta¹ Orionis CStarbox observe
epoch=J2000
ra=05^h 35^m 16.5^s
dec=−05° 23′ 24″
appmag_v=5.13
constell=Orion Starbox character
class=O6pe V
b-v=+0.02
u-b=−0.88
variable=? Starbox astrometry
radial_v=+28
prop_mo_ra=−0.92
prop_mo_dec=0.13
parallax=−1.85
p_error=2.12
dist_ly=1,500
dist_pc=460
absmag_v=−3.2 Starbox detail
mass=40
radius=8
luminosity=251,000
temperature=45,500
metal=?
rotation=~112 km/s
age=1.2 × 10⁶ Starbox catalog
names=41 Ori C, HR 1895, HD 37022, SAO 132314, V1016 Ori. Starbox reference
Simbad=HD+37022

Theta¹ Orionis C is a member of the Trapezium open cluster that lies within the Orion Nebula. The star "C" is the most massive of the four bright stars at the heart of the cluster. It has the highest surface temperature of any star visible to the naked eye and is one of the most luminous stars known (it has an estimated absolute magnitude in visible wavelengths of about −3.2). Its high luminosity and large distance (about 1,500 light years) give it an apparent visible magnitude is 5.1.

This star is responsible for generating most of the ultraviolet light that is slowly ionizing (and perhaps photo evaporating) the Orion Nebula. This UV light is also the primary cause of the glow that illuminates the Orion Nebula. This star emits a powerful stellar wind that is a hundred thousand times stronger than the Sun's, and the outpouring gas moves at 1,000 km/s.

Infrared observations of this star have shown that it is actually a close binary system. It also displays optical variability and is a variable X-ray source.

It is expected that this star will end its life as a supernova within a few million years from now.

References

* Walborn, N. R., 1981, "Systematic variations in the spectrum of Theta-1 Orionis C", "Astrophysical Journal", vol. 243, p. L37-L39.
* Gagne, Marc "et al", 1997, "Periodic X-Ray Emission from the O7 V Star theta 1 Orionis C", "Astrophysical Journal Letters", v.478, p.L87.

External links

* [http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/~kaler/sow/theta1ori.html Theta-1 Orionis] by Professor Jim Kaler.
* [http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?protocol=html&Ident=Tet1+Ori+C SIMBAD entry]