![]() Type Lc variables are supergiant stars of late spectral types whose brightness typically varies by about 1 magnitude. Its luminosity is dimmed by interstellar dust, but the degree of dimming is uncertain.Īntares serves as a spectral standard for its class, which means that its spectrum is used as an anchor point for the Morgan-Keenan (MK) system of stellar classification, used to classify other stars.Īntares is classified as a slow irregular variable (type Lc) and its brightness varies from magnitude 0.6 to 1.6. At visual wavelengths, Antares is about 10,000 times more luminous than the Sun. Even though the bolometric luminosity of Antares is about 100,000 times that of the Sun, a lot of the star’s energy output is in the invisible infrared part of the spectrum. Like its other properties, the star’s exact luminosity is uncertain, but believed to be in the range from 44,700 to 128,900 solar luminosities. With an effective temperature of 3,660 K, Antares is 75,900 times more luminous than the Sun. Its estimated age is about 15 million years. Antares has lost about 3 solar masses of material from its initial mass. It is losing mass through a powerful stellar wind that has enshrouded the supergiant in an envelope of gas illuminated by the star’s light. Since evolving away from the main sequence, Antares has expanded to a size of 680 to 800 solar radii. The star’s projected rotational velocity is 20 km/s. Its exact mass is uncertain, but estimates are mostly in the range from 11 to 14.3 solar masses. It has an estimated mass about 12 times that of the Sun. It has run out of its supply of hydrogen and is currently burning through progressively heavier elements. The companion is believed to lie more than 220 astronomical units beyond Antares.Īntares (Alpha Scorpii), image: Wikisky Alpha Scorpii AĪntares has the stellar classification M1.5Iab-Ib, indicating a supergiant star appearing distinctly red in colour. The projected separation between the stars is at least 529 astronomical units. The separation between the stars was measured at 3.5’’ and 2.5’’ in the 1840s, and more recent measurements have yielded separations between 2.6’’ and 2.8’’. The pair’s orbital period is uncertain, with estimates in the range from 880 to 2,562 years. Antares has an apparent magnitude that varies between 0.6 and 1.6, while the companion is considerably fainter at magnitude 5.5. ![]() The system consists of the red supergiant Alpha Scorpii A, formally named Antares, and a fainter blue-white main sequence star designated Alpha Scorpii B. Star systemĮven though it appears as a single star to the unaided eye, Alpha Scorpii is in fact a binary star system. It marks the heart of the celestial scorpion. Antares lies at an approximate distance of 550 light years from Earth. It is only slightly fainter than Altair in the constellation Aquila, Acrux in Crux, and Aldebaran in Taurus, and it just outshines the bright Spica in Virgo, Pollux in Gemini, and Fomalhaut in Piscis Austrinus. With an average apparent magnitude of 0.96, it is the brightest star in Scorpius and usually the 15th brightest star in the sky. The end-of-level charts now show details when you hover over the appropriate toggle button.Antares, Alpha Scorpii (α Sco) is a red supergiant star located in the constellation Scorpius. ![]()
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