Alpha Ceti

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**Alpha Ceti**
Observation data Epoch J2000
Alpha Ceti
Constellation (pronunciation)	Cetus
Right ascension	03^h 02^m 16.8^s
Declination	+04° 05′ 23.0″
Apparent magnitude (V)	2.54
Characteristics
Spectral type	M1.5 IIIa
U-B color index	1.94
B-V color index	1.64
Variable type	Lb
Astrometry
Radial velocity (R_v)	-26 km/s
Proper motion (μ)	RA: -11.81 mas/yr Dec.: -78.76 mas/yr
Parallax (π)	14.82 ± 0.83 mas
Distance	220 ly (67.5 pc)
Absolute magnitude (M_V)	-1.62
Details
Mass	3 M_☉
Radius	42 R_☉
Luminosity	1800 L_☉
Temperature	3200 K
Metallicity	?
Rotation	?
Age	? years
Other designations
Menkar, Menkab, Mekab, Monkar, Al Minhar, 92 Ceti, HR 911, BD +03°419, HD 18884, SAO 110920, FK5 107, HIP 14135.
Database references
SIMBAD	data

Alpha Ceti (α Cet / α Ceti) is a star in the constellation of Cetus. It also has the traditional name Menkar or Menkab.

Menkar is an old and dying star, long past the hydrogen and perhaps even past the helium stage of its stellar evolution. Menkar is currently a red giant star but as it begins to burn its carbon core it will likely become highly unstable before finally shedding its outer layers and forming a planetary nebula, leaving a relatively large white dwarf remnant.

The name Menkar derives from the Arabic word منخر manħar "nostril" (of Cetus).