R Centauri

For r Centauri, see HD 115310.
R Centauri
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Centaurus
Right ascension 14h 16m 34.321s[1]
Declination −59° 54 49.29[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) +7.18
Characteristics
Spectral type M5IIe
U−B color index +1.24
B−V color index +2.04
Variable type Mira
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−20 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: -9.07 ± 0.91[1] mas/yr
Dec.: -7.04 ± 0.71[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)2.60 ± 0.76[1] mas
Distanceapprox. 1,300 ly
(approx. 400 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−1.84
Other designations
R Centauri, HR 5326, HD 124601, CP−59°5476, HIP 69754, SAO 241580, GC 19234, CCDM J14166-5955
Database references
SIMBADdata

R Centauri (R Cen) is a variable star in the constellation Centaurus. It is approximately 1300 light years from Earth.

The primary component, R Centauri A, is a red M-type bright giant with a mean apparent magnitude of +7.18. It is classified as a Mira variable and its brightness varies from magnitude +5.3 to +11.8 with a period of 546.2 days. It is also an H2O maser.

References