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Beta (β) Scorpii

Graffias
Optical Double Star

Right Ascension 16h 05m 26.3s Best Seen 7/1 - 9/1
Declination -19° 48' 13" Combined Magnitude 2.44
Apparent Separation 12.8" Constellation Scorpius

Actual
Compared
to Sun
Distance 530 / 1132 ly --
Actual Brightness -- 1970 / 1040
Magnitude 2.56 / 4.90 --
Mass -- --
Surface Gravity -- --
Surface Composition (by mass) 74% hydrogen
24% helium
2% everything else
same
Spectral Type B0.5 V / B2 V 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 next to each other. One star should be slightly brighter than the other.

  3. Both stars have dimmer companion stars. They may be seen.


Beta Scorpii Information:


  1. The brighter star, Star A, is actually a multiple star.

    a. However, we can’t see its companion: Star A is a “spectroscopic binary,” which means its companion is detected by looking at a spectra of Star A.

    b. This companion is so close to Star A, they orbit each other in just under 7 days. This means they’re closer than Mercury is to our Sun.

  2. The dimmer star, Star B, may also be part of a multiple system.

  3. Through the telescope, dim stars can be seen close to both Stars A and B. It is unclear whether these stars form multiple systems with A and B, or if they are also optical doubles.

  4. This is actually a 5-member system. A third star has a magnitude of 9.5 and a period of about 1,000 years.

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References
Item Updated Notes
Coordinates 2002-11-27 difference between two, SIMBAD and Scott’s The Flamsteed Collection
Combined Magnitude 2002-11-27 with Flamsteed
Apparent Separation 2002-11-27 with Flamsteed
Distance 2002-11-27 with Flamsteed and SIMBAD
Actual Brightness 2002-11-27 with Flamsteed
Magnitude 2002-11-27 with Flamsteed
Mass --
Surface Gravity --
Surface Composition 2003-01-06 OK for all stars
Spectral Type 2002-11-27 with Flamsteed and SIMBAD
Density --
Other Information 2002-11-27 from http://skyandtelescope.com/news/current/article_801_1.asp and SIMBAD
NOTE: SIMBAD says Star A (HD 144217) is a “spectroscopic binary” while B (HD 144218) is a “Star in double system”
Multiple Stars: http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/graffias.html