Rigel
(Beta Orionis)
(brightest star in constellation Orion)
Rigel is the
lower left-hand star of Orion, i.e., foot of his right leg
(if he's facing us).
It is a quadruple star system, the brightest of
which is Rigel A, a blue-white supergiant
and Alpha Cygni variable (ACYG).
Rigel B is a spectroscopic binary system,
with two main-sequence blue-white B9 stars,
the pair about 2200 AU from Rigel A.
Rigel C is another similar star, which orbits the
Rigel B pair with 63 year period.
Rigel lights up some nearby nebulae.
Note that the determined characteristics depend upon an
accurate measure of the star's distance,
and determinations still vary.
Characteristics based upon one determination:
Rigel A:
Rigel B:
- spectroscopic binary.
- two B9 stars.
(star,binary star,bright star,variable star)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigel
https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=RIGEL
http://astropixels.com/stars/Rigel-01.html
http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/rigel.html
Redshift | Parsecs /Distance | Lightyears /Lookback Years | | |
~0 | 260pc | 848ly | | Rigel |
|
Coordinates: | Rigel J051432.27210-081205.8981 |
|
Referenced by pages:
absolute magnitude (M)
B-type star (B)
Bayer designation
near-Earth supernova
Orion
right ascension (RA)
supergiant
variable star
Index