Xi Tauri

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ξ Tauri
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0
Constellation
(pronunciation)
Taurus
Right ascension 03h 27m 10.2s
Declination +9° 43' 58"
Apparent magnitude (V) +3.73
Distance 222 ± 15 ly
(68 ± 5 pc)
Spectral type B8Vn + B8Vn + B7Vn
Other designations
Ushakaron, 2 Tau, HR 1038, HD 21364, BD+09 439, FK5 123, HIP 16083, SAO 111195, GC 4107, CCDM 03272+0944

Xi Tauri (ξ Tau / ξ Tauri) is a triple star system in the constellation Taurus. It carries the Akkadian name Ushakaron or Yshakaron, meaning "Exacter of Justice and Retribution" or "The Avenger" or "The Vindicator".

Xi Tauri a spectroscopic and eclipsing triple star. It consists of three blue-white B-type main sequence dwarfs. Two of the stars are in a close orbit and revolve around each other once every 7.15 days. These in turn orbit the third star once every 145 days. The mean combined apparent magnitude of the system is +3.73 but, because the stars eclipse one another during their orbits, it is classified as a variable star, and its brightness varies from magnitude +3.70 to +3.79. Xi Tauri is approximately 222 light years from Earth.


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