Xi Serpentis
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| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation (pronunciation) |
Serpens |
| Right ascension | 17h 37m 35.2s |
| Declination | -15° 23' 55" |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +3.54 |
| Distance | 105 ± 4 ly (32 ± 1 pc) |
| Spectral type | F0IIIp |
| Other designations | |
Xi Serpentis (ξ Ser / ξ Serpentis) is a triple star system in the constellation Serpens. In the past, it was called by the traditional name Nehushtan (Hebrew נחושתן), which refers to the bronze serpent of Moses. When King Hezekiah destroyed the bronze serpent, opponents of Hezekiah protested by memorializing the serpent among the summer stars, with Ophiuchus representing Hezekiah, and Serpens representing Nehushtan. The opponents thought that destroying such a highly treasured bronze artifact, through which their God Yahweh performed a saving miracle, was an attack on Israelite-Hebrew history and heritage.
The primary star, Xi Serpentis A, is a yellow-white F-type giant with an apparent magnitude of +3.54. It is a spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 2.29 days. A 13th magnitude companion, Xi Serpentis B, is located 25 arcseconds from the primary pair. Xi Serpentis is approximately 105 light years from Earth.
[edit] References
- HD 159876 -- Spectroscopic binary. SIMBAD Astronomical Database. Retrieved on 2007-01-23.
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