Van Biesbroeck 8
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Observation data Epoch J2000.0 (ICRS) |
|
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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 | |
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.