Delta Centauri

δ Centauri

Observation data Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation	Centaurus
Right ascension	12h08m21.5s
Declination	−50°43′21″
Apparent magnitude (V)	+2.58
Characteristics
Spectral type	B2IVne
U−B color index	−0.90
B−V color index	−0.12
Variable type	γ Cas
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)	+11 km/s
Proper motion (μ)	RA: −47.53 mas/yr Dec.: −6.42 mas/yr
Parallax (π)	8.25 ± 0.79 mas
Distance	395 ly (121 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)	−2.82
Other designations
HR 4621, CD−50°6697, CP−50°4862, HD 105435, SAO 239689, FK5 452, HIP 59196, GC 16584, CCDM J12083-5043

Delta Centauri (δ Cen, δ Centauri) is a star in the constellation Centaurus. It is the B type third-magnitude star. It is classified as a Gamma Cassiopeiae type variable star and its brightness varies from magnitude +2.51 to +2.65.

This Be star shares a proper motion with the nearby stars HD 105382 and HD 105383, so they may form a small cluster or perhaps a triple star system.

Etymology

In Chinese, 馬尾 (Mǎ Wěi), meaning Horse's Tail, refers to an asterism consisting of δ Centauri, G Centauri and ρ Centauri.^[1] Consequently, δ Centauri itself is known as 馬尾三 (Mǎ Wěi sān, English: the Third Star of Horse's Tail.)^[2]. From this Chinese name, the name Ma Wei was appeared.^[3]

The people of Aranda and Luritja tribe around Hermannsburg, Central Australia named Iritjinga, "The Eagle-hawk", a quadrangular arrangement comprising this star, γ Cen (Muhlifain), γ Cru (Gacrux), and δ Cru (Palida).^[4]

See also

• Traditional Chinese star names

References

1. ^ (Chinese) 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, ISBN 978-986-7332-25-7.
2. ^ (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 7 月 29 日
3. ^ Richard Hinckley Allen: Star Names — Their Lore and Meaning: Centaurus
4. ^ p. 8, Explorers of the southern sky: a history of Australian astronomy, Raymond Haynes, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1996.