Wolf 424
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| Observation data Epoch J2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Right ascension | 12h 30m 17.2s |
| Declination | +09° 01' 15" |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 13.18/13.17 |
| Spectral Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | M5.5 V/M7 |
| U-B color index | 1.19/ |
| B-V color index | 1.84/ |
| Variable type | None/Flare star |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | -553.7 km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: -1796 mas/yr Dec.: 233 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 227.90 ± 4.60 mas |
| Distance | 14.3 ± 0.3 ly (4.39 ± 0.09 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | 14.28/14.28 |
| Visual binary orbit | |
| Companion | GJ 473 B |
| Period (P) | 16.2 years |
| Semimajor axis (a) | 0.76" |
| Eccentricity (e) | 0.28 |
| Inclination (i) | 103° |
| Node (Ω) | 151° |
| Periastron epoch (T) | 1961.6 |
| Other designations | |
Wolf 424 is a binary star system comprising two red dwarf stars at a distance of approximately 14.2 light years. It is located in the constellation Virgo, between the stars Vindemiatrix and Auva.
The Wolf 424 system has a mean orbital radius of 4.1 AU and an eccentricity of 0.28. The stars have an orbital period of 16.2 years and have an apparent magnitude of about 12.5.
Wolf 424A is a cool main sequence red dwarf star of approximately 0.14 solar masses and a radius of 0.17 solar radii. It is one of the dimmest objects within 15 light years of the Sun. Its companion, Wolf 424B, is a cool main sequence red dwarf star of approximately 0.13 solar masses and a radius of 0.14 solar radii. It is a known flare star that has been designated FL Virginis, and may experience sunspot activity. Wolf was also featured in the movie "The Arrival" starring Charlie Sheen in 1996, as being the origin of an invasive alien race. It is also the title of a track by Hanzel und Gretyl on their album Ausgeflippt.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- W. D. Heintz, "Astrometric study of 4 binary stars", 1972, Astronomical Journal, 77, 160.
- G. Torres, T. J. Henry, O. G. Franz, L. H. Wasserman, "The nearby low-mass visual binary Wolf 424", Astronomical Journal, 117, 1999.
