Wolf 424
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Observation data Epoch J2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation (pronunciation) |
Virgo |
| Right ascension | 12h 30m 17.2s |
| Declination | +09° 01' 15" |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 13.18/13.17 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | M5.5 V/M7 |
| U-B color index | 1.19/ |
| B-V color index | 1.84/ |
| Variable type | None/Flare star |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | -553.7 km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: -1796 mas/yr Dec.: 233 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 227.90 ± 4.60 mas |
| Distance | 14.3 ± 0.3 ly (4.39 ± 0.09 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | 14.28/14.28 |
| Visual binary orbit | |
| Companion | GJ 473 B |
| Period (P) | 16.2 yr |
| Semimajor axis (a) | 0.76" |
| Eccentricity (e) | 0.28 |
| Inclination (i) | 103° |
| Longitude of the node (Ω) | 151° |
| Periastron epoch (T) | 1961.6 |
| Other designations | |
Wolf 424 is a binary star system comprising two red dwarf stars at a distance of approximately 14.2 light years from the Sun. It is located in the constellation Virgo, between the stars ε Virginis and δ Virginis.
The Wolf 424 system has a semi-major axis of 4.1 AU and an eccentricity of 0.28. The stars have an orbital period of 16.2 years and have an apparent magnitude of about 12.5.
Wolf 424A is a cool main sequence red dwarf star of approximately 0.14 solar masses and a radius of 0.17 solar radii. It is one of the dimmest objects within 15 light years of the Sun. Its companion, Wolf 424B, is a cool main sequence red dwarf star of approximately 0.13 solar masses and a radius of 0.14 solar radii. It is a known flare star that has been designated FL Virginis, and may experience sunspot activity.
Due to its proximity and fast motion towards the Sun, Wolf 424 will brighten by more than 2% over the course of the 21st century. In approximately 7700 years, it will make its nearest approach at a distance of about 1 light year[citation needed], and will become the nearest star.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- W. D. Heintz, "Astrometric study of 4 binary stars", 1972, Astronomical Journal, 77, 160.
- G. Torres, T. J. Henry, O. G. Franz, L. H. Wasserman, "The nearby low-mass visual binary Wolf 424", Astronomical Journal, 117, 1999.
