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Tau Aurigae
Star in the constellation of Auriga / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with T Aurigae.
Tau Aurigae, Latinized from τ Aurigae, is a star in the northern constellation Auriga. It is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.505,[2] and is approximately 207 light-years (63 parsecs) distant from Earth.
Quick Facts Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000, Constellation ...
Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
---|---|
Constellation | Auriga |
Right ascension | 05h 49m 10.43826s[1] |
Declination | +39° 10′ 51.8627″[1] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 4.505[2] |
Characteristics | |
Spectral type | G8 III[3] |
U−B color index | +0.692[2] |
B−V color index | +0.956[2] |
R−I color index | 0.49 |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | –19.32 ± 0.19[4] km/s |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: –28.30[1] mas/yr Dec.: –24.97[1] mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 15.5940 ± 0.2061 mas[5] |
Distance | 209 ± 3 ly (64.1 ± 0.8 pc) |
Absolute magnitude (MV) | 0.50[6] |
Details | |
Mass | 2.55[7] M☉ |
Radius | 11[4] R☉ |
Luminosity | 63[4] L☉ |
Surface gravity (log g) | 2.7[4] cgs |
Temperature | 4,887[4] K |
Metallicity [Fe/H] | –0.27[4] dex |
Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 3.8[4] km/s |
Age | 660 - 890[7] Myr |
Other designations | |
Database references | |
SIMBAD | data |
Close
Tau Aurigae is an evolved giant star with a stellar classification of G8 III.[3] It has expanded to 11 times the radius of the Sun and shines with 63 times the Sun's luminosity. This energy is radiated into outer space from the outer atmosphere at an effective temperature of 4,887.[4] This heat gives it the yellow-hued glow of a G-type star.[9]