Theta Centauri
Template:Location mark Location of θ Centauri (circled) | |
| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Centaurus |
| Right ascension | Template:RA[1] |
| Declination | Template:DEC[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +2.06[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Evolutionary stage | Red clump[3] |
| Spectral type | K0 III[4] |
| U−B Template:Engvar | +0.90[2] |
| B−V Template:Engvar | +0.99[2] |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | +1.3[5] km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: −520.53[1] mas/yr Dec.: −518.06[1] mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 55.45±0.20 mas[1] |
| Distance | Template:Rnd ± Template:Rnd ly (Template:Rnd ± Template:Rnd pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | 0.87[6] |
| Details | |
| Mass | 1.27[3] Template:Solar mass |
| Radius | Template:Val[3] Template:Solar radius |
| Luminosity | Template:Val[3]Template:Efn Template:Solar luminosity |
| Surface gravity (log g) | Template:Val[7] cgs |
| Temperature | Template:Val[7] K |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | Template:Val[7] dex |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | {{{metal_fe2}}} dex |
| Other designations | |
| Template:Odlist[8] | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
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Theta Centauri or θ Centauri, officially named Menkent (Template:IPAc-en),[9][10] is a single[11] star in the southern constellation of Centaurus, the centaur. With an apparent visual magnitude of +2.06,[2] it is the fourth-brightest member of the constellation. Based on parallax measurements obtained during the Hipparcos mission, it is about Template:Convert distant.[1] It has a relatively high proper motion, traversing the celestial sphere at the rate of Template:Val.[12] This suggests that Menkent may have originated in the outer disk of the Milky Way and is merely passing through the solar neighborhood.[13]
Nomenclature
θ Centauri, Latinised to Theta Centauri, is the star's Bayer designation.
It bore the traditional name of Menkent derived from the Arabic word مَنْكِب (mankib) for "shoulder" (of the Centaur), apparently blended with a shortened form of "kentaurus" (centaur). In 2016, the International Astronomical Union organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)[14] to catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN approved the name Menkent for this star on 21 August 2016 and it is now so included in the List of IAU-approved Star Names.[10]
In Chinese, Script error: No such module "Lang". (Script error: No such module "Lang".), meaning arsenal, refers to an asterism consisting of Theta Centauri, Zeta Centauri, Eta Centauri, 2 Centauri, HD 117440, Xi¹ Centauri, Gamma Centauri, Tau Centauri, D Centauri and Sigma Centauri.[15] Consequently, the Chinese name for Theta Centauri itself is Script error: No such module "Lang". (Script error: No such module "Lang"., Template:Langx).[16]
Properties
This is an evolved giant star with a stellar classification of K0 III[4] and 1.27 times the mass of the Sun. It is believed to be fusing helium into carbon and heavier elements within its core, qualifying it as a red clump star.[3] It is a southern analog to Pollux, the brightest star in Gemini and the closest giant to the Sun.[13] It is over ten times larger than the Sun and 56 times more luminous.[3] The outer envelope has an effective temperature of 4,853 K,[7] giving it the orange-hued glow of a cool, K-type star.[17] Soft X-ray emission has been detected from this star, which has an estimated X-ray luminosity of 1.4 × 1027 erg s−1.[18]
See also
Notes
References
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- ↑ Template:In lang 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, Template:ISBN.
- ↑ Template:In lang 香港太空館 - 研究資源 - 亮星中英對照表 Template:Webarchive, Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
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