Xi Persei
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| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Perseus |
| Right ascension | 03h 58m 57.9s |
| Declination | +35° 47' 28" |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +4.04 |
| Distance | 1600 ly (491 pc) |
| Spectral type | O7.5III(n)((f)) |
| Other designations | |
Xi Persei (ξ Per) is a star in the constellation Perseus. It also has the traditional name Menkib (Menchib, Menkhib, Arabic for "shoulder" [of the Pleiades]).
Menchib has apparent magnitude +4.04 and is classified as a blue giant (spectral class O7.5III). It is approximately 1600 light years from Earth.
Xi Persei is classified as either a giant or supergiant star, it's visual luminosity 13,500 times that of the Sun while the total luminosity is 330,000 times that of the Sun. The star has a mass of some 40 solar masses and a surface temperature of 37,000 kelvins, making it one of the hottest stars that can be seen with the naked eye.
