Van Biesbroeck 8

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Van Biesbroeck 8

Observation data
Epoch J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation
(pronunciation)
Ophiuchus
Right ascension 16h 55m 28.755s
Declination -08° 20′ 10.84″
Apparent magnitude (V) 9.048
Characteristics
Spectral type M6.5V
U-B color index 16.7
B-V color index 18.7
Astrometry
Proper motion (μ) RA: 3.160889 mas/yr
Dec.: -7.84639 mas/yr
Parallax (π) 153.96 mas
Distance 21.184488178748 ly
(6.495193556768 pc)
Other designations
Gl 644 C , GJ 644 D , HD  152751, HIP 82817

Van Biesbroeck 8 is a low-luminosity star in the constellation, Ophiuchus, cataloged in the 19th century by the astronomer, George Van Biesbroeck. Classified as a red dwarf star, it is approximately 18.7 light years from our solar system and about 9% the mass of the Sun. In 1984, apparent erroneous information led to the belief that the first extra-solar "planet" (later deemed to possibly be a brown dwarf was orbiting Van Biewsbroeck 8. The object, termed Van Biesbroeck 8b was twice confirmed, but subsequent attempts to locate it were unsuccessful.

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