Alpha Equulei

Starbox short
name=Alpha Equulei
epoch=J2000.0
constell=Equuleus
ra=21^h 15^m 49.40^s
dec=+5° 14' 53.1"
spectral=G0III+
appmag_v=+3.92
absmag_v=+0.14
dist_ly=186
dist_pc=57.05
names=Kitalphar, 8 Equulei, HR 8131, HD 202447, BD +04 4635, HIP 104987, SAO 126662, FK5 800, GC 29735

Alpha Equulei (α Equ / α Equulei) is a star in the constellation Equuleus. It also has the traditional name Kitalpha or "Kitalphar", which is a contraction of the Arabic title "Qit'at al Faras" (قطعة الفرس), meaning "Part of the Horse".

Alpha Equulei collectively belongs to spectral class G0III and has apparent magnitude +3.92 and a luminosity approximately 75 times that of the Sun. However, the star deceives. Alpha Equulei is a unique spectroscopic binary star consisting of two components. The two stellar components within the system are so close together that the class is mixed, G + A, two spectra present at the same time. The brighter of the two (by about 50%, 45 times brighter than the Sun) is a class G (G0) giant, the fainter a white class A (A5) dwarf. The giant is in the process of dying and most likely (like the dimmer component of Capella) has a contracting helium core, while the dwarf is a common unevolved hydrogen-fuser. The blend of starlight makes actual temperatures difficult to measure, but should respectively be around 5500 and 8500 kelvins. The Kitalpa is approximately 186 light years from Earth.

References

*

* [http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/~kaler/sow/kitalpha.html Kaler: Kitalpha]

External links

* [http://www.alcyone.de/SIT/bsc/ Yale Bright Star Catalog; click on Equuleus]