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Xi (ξ) Bootis

Contrast Multiple Star

Right Ascension 14h 51m 23s Best Seen --
Declination 19° 06' 01" Combined Magnitude --
Apparent Separation 6.6" Constellation Bootes

Actual
Compared
to Sun
Distance 21.8 ly --
Separation 33.6 au
In our solar system
the B star would be between
Neptune and Pluto
--
Orbital Period 151 --
Actual Brightness -- 49% / 6% of Sun
Magnitude 4.8 / 6.7
Diameter -- 89% / 71% of Sun
Mass -- 90% / 67-75% of Sun
Surface Gravity -- --
Surface Composition (by mass) 74% hydrogen
24% helium
2% everything else
Similar to Sun
but higher metal content
Spectral Type G8 Ve / K4-5 Ve G2 V
Density (gram/cubic cm) -- --

What To Look For Through The Telescope


  1. Recommended eyepiece: 24mm or 40 mm.

  2. When people look through the telescope they should see two stars ve next to each other. One star should appear yellow-orange and the other star pinkish-white.


Xi Bootis Information:


  1. The 2 stars are an average of 33.6 AU apart (That’s just a little closer than the distance to Pluto).

  2. They are calculated to get as close as 16.5 AU and as far as 50.7 AU apart.

  3. There may be a third companion orbiting Xi Bootis B that is too dim to see, but detectable by the wobble it causes on the other 2 stars. One scientist suggests the unknown is about 9 times the mass of Jupiter. It may be a brown dwarf or a system of planets.

  4. The unknown companion makes Xi Bootis a good prospect in the hunt for planets.

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References
Item Updated Notes
Coordinates --
Combined Magnitude --
Apparent Separation 2005-02-17 SIMBAD
Distance --
Separation --
Orbital Period 2005-02-22 http://www.solstation.com/orbits/xiboosys.htm
Actual Brightness --
Magnitude --
Diameter 2005-02-22 http://www.solstation.com/orbits/xiboosys.htm
Mass 2005-02-22 http://www.solstation.com/orbits/xiboosys.htm
Surface Gravity --
Surface Composition
Spectral Type 2005-02-17 SIMBAD
Density --
Other information 2005-02-22 orbit info http://www.solstation.com/orbits/xiboosys.htm
Companion info http://www.solstation.com/stars/xibootis.htm