Zeta Ophiuchi

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Zeta Ophiuchi
Observation data
Equinox J2000
Constellation Ophiuchus
Right ascension 16h 37m 09.5s
Declination -10° 34′ 01.4″
Apparent magnitude (V) 2.54
Characteristics
Spectral type O9 III
U-B color index -0.86
B-V color index 0.02
Variable type Gamma Cass.
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) -15 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 13.07 mas/yr
Dec.: 25.44 mas/yr
Parallax (π) 7.12 ± 0.71 mas
Distance 458 ly (140 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) -3.20
Details
Mass 20 M
Radius 8 R
Luminosity 68,000 L
Temperature 32,500 K
Metallicity  ?
Rotation 380 km/s.
Age 4 × 106 years
Other designations
13 Oph, HR 6175, BD -10°4350, HD 149757, SAO 160006, FK5 622, HIP 81377.

Zeta Ophiuchi (ζ Oph / ζ Ophiuchi) is a star located in the constellation of Ophiuchus. Unlike most of the brighter stars in the sky, ζ Ophiuchi does not have a proper name, although it may have been referred to as Han by the Chinese. Although ζ Ophiuchi is a hot blue giant star it appears reddish due to interstellar dust that absorbs much of blue light. In fact, were it not for this dust, ζ Ophiuchi would shine several times brighter and be among the very brightest visible. ζ Ophiuchi is roughly half way through the initial phase of its stellar evolution and will within the next few million years expand into a supergiant star before ending its life in a spectacular supernova.

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