R Centauri

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R Centauri
Observation data
Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Centaurus
Right ascension 14h16m34.2s
Declination −59°54′50″
Apparent magnitude (V) +7.18
Characteristics
Spectral type M5IIe
U-B color index +1.24
B-V color index +2.04
Variable type Mira
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) −20 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −10.28 mas/yr
Dec.: −5.90 mas/yr
Parallax (π) 1.56 ± 0.84 mas
Distance 2100 ± 1100 ly (640 ± 350 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) −1.84
Other designations
R Centauri, HR 5326, HD 124601, CP−59°5476, HIP 69754, SAO 241580, GC 19234, CCDM J14166-5955
Database references
SIMBAD data

R Centauri (R Cen) is a variable star in the constellation Centaurus. It is approximately 2100 light years from Earth.

The primary component, R Centauri A, is a red M-type bright giant with a mean apparent magnitude of +7.18. It is classified as a Mira variable and its brightness varies from magnitude +5.3 to +11.8 with a period of 546.2 days. It is also an H2O maser.