Delta Octantis

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Delta Octantis
Observation data
Epoch       Equinox
Constellation Octans
Right ascension 14h 26m 55.74s
Declination 83° 40 04.3
Apparent magnitude (V)4.31
Absolute magnitude (V)−0.35 ± 0.09[1]
Distance279 ly
(85.6 pc)
Spectral typeK2III
Other designations
HD 124882, HIP 70638

Delta Octantis has the distinction of being Saturn's southern pole star.[2] It has 1.2 times the mass of the Sun and about 25 times the Sun's radius. This star is about 4.3 billion years old; the same age as the Sun.[1]

Naming

In Chinese caused by adaptation of the European southern hemisphere constellations into the Chinese system, 異雀 (Yì Què), meaning Exotic Bird, refers to an asterism consisting of δ Octantis, ζ Apodis, ι Apodis, β Apodis, γ Apodis, δ1 Apodis, η Apodis, α Apodis and ε Apodis. Consequently, δ Octantis itself is known as 異雀五 (Yì Què wǔ, English: the Fifth Star of Exotic Bird.)[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 da Silva, L. et al. (November 2006), "Basic physical parameters of a selected sample of evolved stars", Astronomy and Astrophysics 458 (2): 609–623, arXiv:astro-ph/0608160, Bibcode:2006A&A...458..609D, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20065105 
  2. "Octans". UK Astronomy Society. Retrieved 10 October 2011. 
  3. (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 7 月 29 日
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