SS Virginis
Observational data | |
|---|---|
| Epoch: | J2000.0 |
| Constellation: | Virgo |
| Right ascension: | 12h 25m 12s[1] |
| Declination: | 00° 46′ 00″[1] |
| Apparent magnitude: | 9.5 to 7.4 |
| Absolute magnitude: | (abs mag) |
SS Virginis is a Mira variable star that appears with a strong red hue. It varies in magnitude from a minimum of 9.5 to a maximum of 7.4[2] over a period of 361 days. It is also considered to be a semiregular variable star, as its minimum and maximum magnitude are themselves variable over a period of decades.[3] Its spectral class is C6.3e. Because it is so rich in carbon, SS Virginis is classified as a carbon star, along with stars like T Geminorum. SS Virginis, like all carbon Mira variables, has a hydrogen-alpha emission line that varies widely, synchronized with the overall variations in light. The hydrogen-alpha emission line becomes far more prominent as the star becomes brighter.[2] Observations made in the near-infrared spectrum indicate that it has a radius of 500 solar radii, and its temperature is between 2405 and 2485 kelvin.[4]
References
- Citations
- 1 2 Levy 2005, p. 66.
- 1 2 Mikulášek, Z.; Gráf, T. (2005). "Atlas of Hα emission lines and V light curves of 30 carbon Miras" (PDF). Astronomical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. 35: 83–106. Bibcode:2005CoSka..35...83M. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
- ↑ "SS Virginis". American Association of Variable Star Observers. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
- ↑ Richichi, A.; Chandrasekhar, T. (1 June 2006). "Near-infrared observations of the carbon stars TU Geminorum and SS Virginis at milliarcsecond resolution". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 451 (3): 1041–1044. Bibcode:2006A&A...451.1041R. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20054669. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
- References
- Levy, David H. (2005), Deep Sky Objects, Prometheus Books, ISBN 1-59102-361-0