Beta Arietis

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Beta Arietis
Observation data
Epoch J2000
Constellation
(pronunciation)
Aries
Right ascension 01h 54m 38.4s
Declination +20° 48′ 29″
Apparent magnitude (V) 2.64
Characteristics
Spectral type A5 V
U-B color index 0.11
B-V color index 0.13
Variable type ?
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) -1.9 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 96.32 mas/yr
Dec.: -108.80 mas/yr
Parallax (π) 54.74 ± 0.75 mas
Distance 59.6 ly (18.3 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) 1.33
Details
Mass 2.00/1.02 M
Radius ? R
Luminosity 22 L
Temperature 8200 K
Metallicity ?
Rotation 79 km/s.
Age ? years
Other designations
Sheratan, Sharatan, Al Sharatain, 6 Arietis, Gl 80, HR 553, BD +20°306, HD 11636, GCTP 394.00, SAO 75012, FK5 66, GC 2309, CCDM 01546+2048, HIP 8903.

Beta Arietis (β Ari / β Arietis) is a star in the constellation Aries, it is the Ram's second horn. It also has the traditional name Sharatan (or Sheratan or Sheratim), and the Flamsteed designation 6 Arietis.

Al Sharatan means "the two signs", a reference to the star having marked the vernal equinox together with its binary partner Gamma Arietis several thousand years ago.

It has an observed visual magnitude of +2.66. Its MK spectral type is A5V (white main sequence star). It is 59.6 light years from Earth.

This star is a spectroscopic binary. The companion orbits every 107 days with an unusually large eccentricity of 0.88. Based on the estimated mass of the companion, it is likely a G-class star.

[edit] References

  • X. P. Pan et al, 1990, "Apparent orbit of the spectroscopic binary Beta ARIETIS with the time Mark III Stellar Interferometer", Astrophysical Journal, vol. 356, June 20.

[edit] External links