Lambda Velorum

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Lambda Velorum
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
Alsuhail, Al Suhail al Wazn, Suhail, Al' Sukhal', HR 3634, CD -42°4990, HD 78647, SAO 220878, FK5 345, GC 12623, CCDM 09080-4326, CPD P-42°3366, HIP 44816.

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".

[edit] External links