Beta Reticuli

Beta Reticuli
Diagram showing star positions and boundaries of the Reticulum constellation and its surroundings


Location of β Reticuli (circled)

Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Reticulum
Right ascension 03h 44m 11.55s
Declination −64° 48 25.5
Apparent magnitude (V) +3.84
Distance100 ly
(31 pc)
Spectral typeK0IV SB
Other designations
β Reticuli, β Ret, Beta Ret, CCDM J03443-6449A, CPD−65  263, FK5 141, GC 4517, HD 23817, HIP 17440, HR 1175, IDS 03429-6507 A, PPM 353699, SAO 248877, WDS J03442-6448A

Beta Reticuli (Beta Ret, β Reticuli, β Ret) is triple star system and spectroscopic binary in constellation of Reticulum, with an apparent magnitude of +3.84. The primary component is an orange K-type giant. It is approximately 100 light years from Earth.

Beta Reticuli is moving through the Galaxy at a speed of 69.2 km/s relative to the Sun. Its projected Galactic orbit carries it between 10,100 and 24,200 light years from the center of the Galaxy.[1]

Beta Reticuli came closest to the Sun 319,000 years ago when it had brightened to magnitude 2.98 from a distance of 67 light years.[1]

Naming

In Chinese caused by adaptation of the European southern hemisphere constellations into the Chinese system, 蛇首 (Shé Shǒu), meaning Snake's Head, refers to an asterism consisting of β Reticuli and α Hydri. Consequently, β Reticuli itself is known as 蛇首二 (Shé Shǒu èr, English: the Second Star of Snake's Head.)[2]

References

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