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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 |
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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
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Recommended eyepiece: 24mm or 40 mm.
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When people look through the telescope they should see two stars next to each other. One star should be slightly brighter than the other.
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Both stars have dimmer companion stars. They may be seen.
Beta Scorpii Information:
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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.
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The dimmer star, Star B, may also be part of a multiple system.
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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.
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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 |