Mu Centauri

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μ Centauri
Observation data
Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Centaurus
Right ascension 13h49m37.0s
Declination −42°28′26″
Apparent magnitude (V) +3.47
Characteristics
Spectral type B2IV-Ve
U-B color index −0.72
B-V color index −0.17
Variable type γ Cas
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) +9 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −23.85 mas/yr
Dec.: −19.22 mas/yr
Parallax (π) 6.19 ± 0.71 mas
Distance 527 ly (162 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) −2.56
Other designations
HR 5193, HD 120324, CD−41°8172, FK5 508, HIP 67472, SAO 224471, GC 18667, CCDM J13496-4228
Database references
SIMBAD data

Mu Centauri (μ Cen / μ Centauri) is a third-magnitude star in the constellation Centaurus. The name Kabkent or Kalb al Kentaurus (Arabic قلب القنطورس) is sometimes applied to this star, as well as to Nu Centauri and Phi Centauri, because they mark what has been traditionally portrayed as the heart of the centaur. Mu Centauri is approximately 527 light years from Earth.

μ Centauri is a blue-white B-type subgiant with a mean apparent magnitude of +3.47. It is classified as a Gamma Cassiopeiae type variable star and its brightness varies from magnitude +2.92 to +3.47.