Lambda Virginis

λ Virginis

Location of λ Virginis.
Observation data Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation	Virgo
Right ascension	14^h 19^m 06.6^s
Declination	−13° 22' 16"
Apparent magnitude (V)	+4.52
Distance	187 ± 10 ly (57 ± 3 pc)
Spectral type	A2m
Other designations
Khambalia, 100 Virginis, HR 5359, HD 125337, BD-12 4018, FK5 1371, HIP 69974, SAO 158489.

Lambda Virginis (λ Vir, λ Virginis) is a binary star in the constellation Virgo. It also has the traditional name Khambalia (from old Coptic meaning 'Crooked Claw').^[1]

In China, 亢宿 (Kàng Xiù), meaning Neck, refers to an asterism consisting of this star, κ Virginis, ι Virginis and κ Virginis.^[2] Consequently, λ Virginis itself is known as 亢宿四 (Kàngsusì, English: the Fourth Star of Neck.)

Lambda Virginis is a spectroscopic binary. The combined spectra of the components is classified as A2 and the system has an apparent magnitude of +4.52. It is approximately 187 light years from Earth. The two components have magnitudes of +5.3 and +5.4 and are separated by 0.0002 arcseconds. They have an orbital period of 206.64 days.

References

1. Allen, R. H., (1963). Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning (Reprint ed.). New York, NY: Dover Publications Inc. p. 472. ISBN 0-486-21079-0.
2. (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 6 月 28 日