Lambda Velorum
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Observation data Epoch J2000 |
|
---|---|
Constellation (pronunciation) |
Vela |
Right ascension | 09h 07m 59.8s |
Declination | -43° 25′ 57″ |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 2.23 |
Characteristics | |
Spectral type | K4.5 Ib-II |
U-B color index | 1.81 |
B-V color index | 1.67 |
Variable type | Irregular variable |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | 18 km/s |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: -23.21 mas/yr Dec.: 14.28 mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 5.69 ± 0.53 mas |
Distance | 570 ± 50 ly (180 ± 20 pc) |
Absolute magnitude (MV) | -3.99 |
Details | |
Mass | 9 M☉ |
Radius | 200 R☉ |
Luminosity | 10,000 L☉ |
Temperature | 4,000 K |
Metallicity | ? |
Rotation | ? |
Age | 2.7 × 107 years |
Other designations | |
Lambda Velorum (λ Vel or λ Velorum) is a star in the constellation Vela. It also has the traditional name Suhail (which, confusingly, is sometimes used for Gamma Velorum).
Lambda Velorum is a supergiant or bright giant star of spectral class K5. Supergiant stars use up their hydrogen "fuel" much faster than do smaller stars and λ Velorum is estimated to be only some 27 million years old. It is classified as an irregular variable star and its brightness varies from magnitude +2.14 to +2.30.
[edit] Etymology
The medieval name Suhail (Al Suhail, Alsuhail, Suhail Alwazn) is short for the Arabic suhayl al-wazn "The glorious (star) of the cycle".