- Alpha Ceti
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Menkar, α Cet Observation data
Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000Constellation Cetus Right ascension 03h 02m 16.77s [1] Declination +04° 05′ 23.1″ [1] Apparent magnitude (V) 2.54 Characteristics Spectral type M1.5 IIIa U−B color index 1.94 B−V color index 1.64 Variable type Lb Astrometry Radial velocity (Rv) -26 km/s Proper motion (μ) RA: -10.41 ± 0.51 [1] mas/yr
Dec.: -76.85 ± 0.36 [1] mas/yrParallax (π) 13.09 ± 0.44[1] mas Distance 249 ± 8 ly
(76 ± 3 pc)Absolute magnitude (MV) -1.62 Details Mass 3 M☉ Radius 42 R☉ Luminosity 1800 L☉ Temperature 3200 K Metallicity ? Rotation ? Age ~700 million years Other designations Database references SIMBAD data Alpha Ceti (α Cet, α Ceti) is a star in the constellation of Cetus. It has the traditional name Menkar or Menkab. The name Menkar derives from the Arabic word منخر manħar "nostril" (of Cetus).
This star, along with γ Cet (Kaffaljidhma), δ Cet, λ Cet (Menkar), μ Cet, Chinese, 天囷 (Tiān Qūn), meaning Circular Celestial Granary, refers to an asterism consisting of α Ceti, κ1 Ceti, λ Ceti, μ Ceti, ν Ceti, γ Ceti, δ Ceti, 75 Ceti, 70 Ceti, 63 Ceti and 66 Ceti.[3] Consequently, α Ceti itself is known as 天囷一 (Tiān Qūn yī, English: the First Star of Circular Celestial Granary.)[4]
Contents
Structure
Menkar is an old and dying star, long past the hydrogen and perhaps even past the helium stage of its stellar evolution. Menkar is currently a red giant star but as it begins to burn its carbon core it will probably become highly unstable before finally shedding its outer layers and forming a planetary nebula, leaving a relatively large white dwarf remnant.
Namesakes
USS Menkar (AK-123) was a United States Navy Crater class cargo ship named after the star.
See also
External links
References
- ^ a b c d e van Leeuwen, F. (2007). "HIP 14135". Hipparcos, the New Reduction. http://webviz.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/VizieR-5?-out.add=.&-source=I/311/hip2&recno=14101. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- ^ Star Name - R.H. Allen p.160
- ^ (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.
- ^ (Chinese) 香港太空館 - 研究資源 - 亮星中英對照表, Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
Bayer α (Menkar) • β (Deneb Kaitos, Diphda) • γ (Kaffaljidhma) • δ • ε • ζ (Baten Kaitos) • η • θ • ι • κ1 • λ • μ • ν • ο A (Mira) • ο B (VZ Ceti) • π • ρ • σ • τ • χFlamsteed 1 • 2 • 3 • 6 • 7 • 8 (ι) • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 (β, Deneb Kaitos, Diphda) • 18 • 20 • 21 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 (η) • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40 • 41 • 42 • 43 • 44 • 45 (θ) • 46 • 47 • 48 • 49 • 50 • 52 (τ) • 53 (χ) • 55 (ζ, Baten Kaitos) • 57 • 58 • 61 • 62 • 63 • 64 • 66 • 67 • 68 A(ο A, Mira) • 68 B(ο B, VZ Ceti) • 69 • 70 • 71 • 72 (ρ) • 75 • 76 (σ) • 77 • 78 (ν) • 79 • 80 • 81 • 82 (δ) • 83 (ε) • 84 • 86 (γ, Kaffaljidhma) • 87 (μ) • 89 (π) • 91 (λ) • 92 (α, Menkar) • 93 • 94 • 95 • 96 (κ1) • 25 AriNearby WISE 0254+0223Categories:- Star stubs
- Giant star stubs
- Bayer objects
- Cetus constellation
- M-type giants
- Stars with proper names
- Henry Draper Catalogue objects
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