Z Camelopardalis
Encyclopedia
Z Camelopardalis (Z Cam) is a variable
star
in the constellation
of Camelopardalis. It has an apparent visual magnitude which varies between 10.0 and 14.5. It is the prototype star for the family of Z Camelopardalis variable stars.
Variable star
A star is classified as variable if its apparent magnitude as seen from Earth changes over time, whether the changes are due to variations in the star's actual luminosity, or to variations in the amount of the star's light that is blocked from reaching Earth...
star
Star
A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity. At the end of its lifetime, a star can also contain a proportion of degenerate matter. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun, which is the source of most of the energy on Earth...
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....
of Camelopardalis. It has an apparent visual magnitude which varies between 10.0 and 14.5. It is the prototype star for the family of Z Camelopardalis variable stars.