R Centauri

R Centauri

Observation data Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation	Centaurus
Right ascension	14^h 16^m 34.321^s[1]
Declination	−59° 54′ 49.29″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V)	+7.18
Characteristics
Spectral type	M5IIe
U−B color index	+1.24
B−V color index	+2.04
Variable type	Mira
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)	−20 km/s
Proper motion (μ)	RA: -9.07 ± 0.91[1] mas/yr Dec.: -7.04 ± 0.71[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)	2.60 ± 0.76[1] mas
Distance	approx. 1,300 ly (approx. 400 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)	−1.84
Other designations
R Centauri, HR 5326, HD 124601, CP−59°5476, HIP 69754, SAO 241580, GC 19234, CCDM J14166-5955
Database references
SIMBAD	data

R Centauri (R Cen) is a variable star in the constellation Centaurus. It is approximately 1300 light years from Earth.

The primary component, R Centauri A, is a red M-type bright giant with a mean apparent magnitude of +7.18. It is classified as a Mira variable and its brightness varies from magnitude +5.3 to +11.8 with a period of 546.2 days. It is also an H₂O maser.

References

1. van Leeuwen, F. (2007). "Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction". Astronomy and Astrophysics 474 (2): 653–664. arXiv:0708.1752. Bibcode:2007A&A...474..653V. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078357. Vizier catalog entry