Pi Centauri

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π Centauri
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0
Constellation
(pronunciation)
Centaurus
Right ascension 11h21m00.4s
Declination −54°29′28″
Apparent magnitude (V) +3.90
Characteristics
Spectral type B5Vn
U-B color index −0.59
B-V color index −0.15
Variable type none
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) +9 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −35.32 mas/yr
Dec.: −2.20 mas/yr
Parallax (π) 10.15 ± 0.53 mas
Distance 321 ly (98.5 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) −1.06
Visual binary orbit
Companion π Centauri B
Period (P) 39.18 yr
Semimajor axis (a) 0.23"
Eccentricity (e) 0.84
Inclination (i) 38°
Longitude of the node (Ω) 113°
Periastron epoch (T) 1973
Other designations
HR 4390, HD 98718, CP−53°4498, FK5 428, HIP 55425, SAO 238986, GC 15601, CCDM J11210-5429
Database references
SIMBAD data

Pi Centauri (π Cen / π Centauri) is a binary star in the constellation Centaurus. It is approximately 321 light years from Earth.

Both components are blue-white B-type main sequence dwarfs. The primary π Centauri A, has an apparent magnitude of +4.3, while the apparent magnitude of its companion, π Centauri B, is +5.0. The two stars orbit around their common centre of mass once every 39.18 years. The semi-major axis of the companion is 0.23 arcseconds on the sky.