Delta Virginis

Delta Virginis
Delta Virginis
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Virgo
Right ascension 12h 55m 36.2s
Declination +3° 23′ 51″
Apparent magnitude (V) 3.38
Characteristics
Spectral type M3+ III
U−B color index 1.78
B−V color index 1.58
Variable type Semiregular
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) -17.8 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: -471.44 mas/yr
Dec.: -52.81 mas/yr
Parallax (π) 16.11 ± 0.88 mas
Distance 202 ly
(62 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) -0.58
Details
Mass 1.5-2 M
Radius 65 R
Luminosity 630 L
Temperature 3,720 K
Metallicity ?
Rotation ?
Age ? years
Other designations
Auva, Minelauva, 43 Virginis, HR 4910, BD +04°2669, HD 112300, LTT 13714, SAO 119674, FK5 484, GC 17543, BDS 6308, CCDM 12557+0323, HIP 63090.

Delta Virginis (δ Vir, δ Virginis) is a red giant star in the constellation Virgo. It also has the traditional name Auva.

It has a spectral type of M3-III, and an magnitude of 3.38, bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. It is classified as a semiregular variable star and its brightness varies from magnitude +3.32 to +3.40.

Delta Virginis is a possible binary star, as an 11th magnitude star is located only 80 arcseconds from it. This type K dwarf is believed to have an orbital period of over 200,000 years, but this has not been confirmed.

Etymology

The medieval names Auva, Al Awwa, and Minelauva are from the Arabic عوى cawwa’ "barking (dog)".

This star, along with β Vir(Zavijava), γ Vir (Porrima), η Vir (Zaniah) and ε Vir (Vindemiatrix), were Al ʽAwwāʼ, the Barker.[1]

In Chinese, 太微左垣 (Tài Wēi Zuǒ Yuán), meaning Left Wall of Supreme Palace Enclosure, refers to an asterism consisting of δ Virginis, η Virginis, γ Virginis, ε Virginis and α Comae Berenices.[2] Consequently, δ Virginis itself is known as 太微左垣三 (Tài Wēi Zuǒ Yuán sān, English: the Third Star of Left Wall of Supreme Palace Enclosure.),[3] representing 東次相 (Dōngcìxiāng), meaning The Second Eastern Minister.[4] 東次相 (Dōngcìxiāng), westernized into Tsze Seang by R.H. Allen and the meaning is "the Second Minister of State" [5]

References

  1. ^ Allen, R. H. (1963). Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning (Reprint ed.). New York, NY: Dover Publications Inc. p. 469. ISBN 0486210790. http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Topics/astronomy/_Texts/secondary/ALLSTA/Virgo*.html. Retrieved 2010-12-12. 
  2. ^ (Chinese) 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, ISBN 9789867332257.
  3. ^ (Chinese) 香港太空館 - 研究資源 - 亮星中英對照表, Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
  4. ^ (Chinese) English-Chinese Glossary of Chinese Star Regions, Asterisms and Star Name, Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
  5. ^ Richard Hinckley Allen: Star Names — Their Lore and Meaning: Virgo

External links