Xi Persei

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Stars of Perseus
Stars of Perseus
ξ Persei
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0
Constellation
(pronunciation)
Perseus
Right ascension 03h 58m 57.9s
Declination +35° 47' 28"
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.04
Distance 1600 ly
(491 pc)
Spectral type O7.5III(n)((f))
Other designations
46 Per, HR 1228, HD 24912, FK5 148, SAO 56856

Xi Persei (ξ Per) is a star in the constellation Perseus. It also has the traditional name Menkib (Menchib, Menkhib, Arabic for "shoulder" [of the Pleiades]).

Menkib has apparent magnitude +4.04 and is classified as a blue giant (spectral class O7.5III). It is approximately 1600 light years from Earth.

Xi Persei has a visual luminosity 13,500 times that of the Sun while the total luminosity is 330,000 times that of the Sun. The star has a mass of some 40 solar masses and a surface temperature of 37,000 kelvins, making it one of the hottest stars that can be seen with the naked eye.

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