Orion Constellation |
|
Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 |
|
---|---|
Constellation | Orion |
Right ascension | 5h 35m 02.6815s |
Declination | -06° 00′ 07.297″ |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 4.78 |
Characteristics | |
Spectral type | B0.5V |
U−B color index | -1.01 |
B−V color index | -0.25 |
Variable type | None |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | +27.7 km/s |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: 0.59 mas/yr Dec.: 0.68 mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 1.75 ± 0.75 mas |
Distance | 1,862.86 ly (571.43 pc) |
Absolute magnitude (MV) | -4.00 |
Details | |
Mass | 21.5 M☉ |
Radius | 8.06 R☉ |
Surface gravity (log g) | 4.25 |
Luminosity | 46,000 L☉ |
Temperature | 29,800 K |
Metallicity | -0.10 (Fe/H) |
Rotational velocity (v sin i) | +28 km/s |
Other designations | |
HD 36960 (HR 1887) is a B-type main-sequence star in the constellation Orion. At an apparent magnitude of +4.78 it is visible to the naked eye in many areas, though in most urban areas it cannot be seen due to light pollution. The star is also massive along with many other stars of Orion. At 21.5 solar masses, it shines with 46,000 times the Sun's luminosity, but because of its high surface temperature (29,000K), it only is 3,000 times as luminous in visual light. Due to its high mass, the star will expand into a blue supergiant in the next few million years and eventually a red supergiant after that. During this phase, the star will probably be a second or third magnitude star and easily viable to the naked eye (probably about as bright as Kappa Orionis (Saiph) is today). The ultimate fate of the star is most likely a Type II supernova. When it has fully exhausted its fuel, the core will produce heavier elements like Iron. Then, its core will become unstable and collapse with the rest of the star expanding outward in a luminous explosion. Such an event from this distance would shine brightly in Earth's sky. Assuming this event is identical to SN 1054, it would shine with an apparent magnitude of -8.71, about 1/40 as bright as the full moon despite its distance of over 1,800 light years.
|