k Puppis

k1 Puppis
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Puppis
Right ascension 07h 38m 49.88s
Declination -26° 48' 14.0"
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.50
Absolute magnitude (V)-1.92
Distance454 ly
(139.26 pc)
Spectral typeB6V
Other designations
HR 2948, HD 61555, SAO 174198, NSV 3673, HIP 37229
k2 Puppis
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Puppis
Right ascension 07h 38m 49.80s
Declination -26° 48' 13.0"
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.62
Absolute magnitude (V)-1.81
Distance462 ly
(141.72 pc)
Spectral typeB5IV
Other designations
HR 2949, HD 61556, SAO 174199, NSV 3673

k Puppis (k Pup, k Puppis) is a Bayer designation given to an optical double star in the constellation Puppis, the two components being k1 Puppis and k2 Puppis. Note that the designation here is "k" not "kappa" (κ) as some astronomers teach. Many of Puppis' stellar designations are English labels. This pair of stars is given the traditional Arabic name Markeb or Markab.

Both k1 Puppis and k2 Puppis are bright blue B-type giant stars of nearly equal brightness, +4.50 and +4.62, respectively. To the naked eye, the pair has a combined magnitude of +3.80. On the sky, the two stars are separated by approximately 9.9 seconds of arc along PA 318°. The optical pair can be distinguished easily with a small telescope. The component k1 Puppis is a binary star system in its own right, while k2 Puppis is a variable star. Each star within the k Puppis optical pair is between 450 and 470 light years from Earth.

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