| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Taurus |
| Right ascension | 04h 28m 34.5s |
| Declination | +15° 57' 44" |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +3.84 |
| Distance | 153 ± 8 ly (47 ± 3 pc) |
| Spectral type | K0IIIbFe-0.5 |
| Other designations | |
| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Taurus |
| Right ascension | 04h 28m 39.7s |
| Declination | +15° 52' 15" |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +3.40 |
| Distance | 155 ± 8 ly (47 ± 3 pc) |
| Spectral type | A7III |
| Other designations | |
Theta Tauri (θ Tau, θ Tauri) is a star system in the constellation Taurus and a member of the Hyades open cluster. It is approximately 155 light years from Earth. The system is dominated by two 3rd magnitude stars, θ¹ Tauri and θ² Tauri, which are separated by 5.62 arcminutes (0.094°) on the sky. θ¹ Tauri is the dimmer component, an orange K-type giant with an apparent magnitude of +3.84. θ² Tauri is a white A-type giant with a mean apparent magnitude of +3.40. θ² Tauri is classified as a Delta Scuti type variable star and its brightness varies from magnitude +3.35 to +3.42 with a period of 1.82 hours.
Both bright stars are spectroscopic binaries and have at least one closer companion. θ¹ Tauri has a 7th magnitude companion 0.082 arcseconds, or at least 4 astronomical units (AU), away from the primary. θ² has a 6th magnitude companion 0.005 arcseconds, or at least 2 AU, distant. It completes an orbit once every 141 days.
The Yucatec Maya say that this star is chakumuy, the name of small bird.[1]