Delta Aurigae
Encyclopedia
Delta Aurigae (δ Aur, δ Aurigae) is a double star
in the constellation
Auriga
. It is approximately 140 light-years from Earth.
In Indian astronomy, it is known by the Sanskrit name Prajāpati (प्रजापति), "the Lord of Creation".
In Chinese
, , meaning Eight Kinds of Crops
, refers to an asterism consisting of δ Aurigae, ξ Aurigae
, 26 Camelopardalis
, 14 Camelopardalis, 7 Camelopardalis
, 9 Aurigae
, 11 Camelopardalis
and 31 Camelopardalis
. Consequently, δ Aurigae itself is known as
The brighter component is an orange K-type
giant
with an apparent magnitude
of +3.72. It has a companion with an apparent magnitude of +9.7, located 115.4 arcseconds distant.
Double star
In observational astronomy, a double star is a pair of stars that appear close to each other in the sky as seen from Earth when viewed through an optical telescope. This can happen either because the pair forms a binary star, i.e...
in the constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
Auriga
Auriga (constellation)
Auriga is a constellation in the northern sky. Its name is Latin for 'charioteer' and its stars form a shape that has been associated with the pointed helmet of a charioteer. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains among the 88 modern...
. It is approximately 140 light-years from Earth.
In Indian astronomy, it is known by the Sanskrit name Prajāpati (प्रजापति), "the Lord of Creation".
In Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
, , meaning Eight Kinds of Crops
Purple Forbidden enclosure
The Purple Forbidden enclosure is one of the San Yuan or Three enclosures. Stars and constellations of this group lie near the north celestial pole and visible all year from temperate latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.-Asterisms:The asterisms are :...
, refers to an asterism consisting of δ Aurigae, ξ Aurigae
Xi Aurigae
Xi Aurigae is a star in the constellation Auriga.ξ Aurigae is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +4.96. It is approximately 241 light-years from Earth.-References:* *...
, 26 Camelopardalis
26 Camelopardalis
26 Camelopardalis is a star in the constellation Camelopardalis.26 Camelopardalis is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +5.93. It is approximately 193 light years from Earth....
, 14 Camelopardalis, 7 Camelopardalis
7 Camelopardalis
7 Camelopardalis is a triple star system in the constellation Camelopardalis. It is approximately 376 light years from Earth.The primary component, 7 Camelopardalis A, is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +4.43...
, 9 Aurigae
9 Aurigae
9 Aurigae or V398 Aurigae is a star in the constellation Auriga. Its apparent magnitude is 4.98.-Components:-References:* * *...
, 11 Camelopardalis
11 Camelopardalis
11 Camelopardalis or BV Camelopardalis is a star system in the constellation Camelopardalis. It forms a double star with 12 Camelopardalis, which is only 3 arcminutes away....
and 31 Camelopardalis
31 Camelopardalis
31 Camelopardalis is an eclipsing spectroscopic binary in the constellation Camelopardalis. It is approximately 405 light years from Earth....
. Consequently, δ Aurigae itself is known as
The brighter component is an orange K-type
Stellar classification
In astronomy, stellar classification is a classification of stars based on their spectral characteristics. The spectral class of a star is a designated class of a star describing the ionization of its chromosphere, what atomic excitations are most prominent in the light, giving an objective measure...
giant
Giant star
A giant star is a star with substantially larger radius and luminosity than a main sequence star of the same surface temperature. Typically, giant stars have radii between 10 and 100 solar radii and luminosities between 10 and 1,000 times that of the Sun. Stars still more luminous than giants are...
with an apparent magnitude
Apparent magnitude
The apparent magnitude of a celestial body is a measure of its brightness as seen by an observer on Earth, adjusted to the value it would have in the absence of the atmosphere...
of +3.72. It has a companion with an apparent magnitude of +9.7, located 115.4 arcseconds distant.