Alpha Columbae
Encyclopedia
Alpha Columbae is a 3rd magnitude
and the brightest star in the constellation
Columba
. It is also known as Phact.
system CCDM J05396-3404. The primary star (CCDM J05396-3404 A) is a Be-type
subgiant
. It is suspected Gamma Cassiopeiae
type (GCAS) variable star
, varying from apparent magnitude
2.62m to 2.66m. There is an expanding gas shell around the star. Its faint companion (CCDM J05396-3404 B) has an apparent magnitude of 12.3m and is 13.5" distant from the primary star.
[ fa:x(i)ta] which meaning "ring dove
". It was originally applied to the constellation Cygnus
as al-Fākhtah, but later transferred to this star. The etymology of its name hadāri (unknown meaning) has also been suggested.
In Chinese
, , meaning Grandfather
, refers to an asterism consisting of α Columbae and ε Columbae
. Consequently, α Columbae itself is known as . From this Chinese name, the name Chang Jin was appeared
Magnitude (astronomy)
Magnitude is the logarithmic measure of the brightness of an object, in astronomy, measured in a specific wavelength or passband, usually in optical or near-infrared wavelengths.-Background:...
and the brightest star 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....
Columba
Columba (constellation)
Columba is a small, faint constellation created in the late sixteenth century. Its name is Latin for dove. It is located just south of Canis Major and Lepus.-History:...
. It is also known as Phact.
Physical charactericities
Alpha Columbae is a binary starBinary star
A binary star is a star system consisting of two stars orbiting around their common center of mass. The brighter star is called the primary and the other is its companion star, comes, or secondary...
system CCDM J05396-3404. The primary star (CCDM J05396-3404 A) is a Be-type
Be star
A Be star is a B-type star with prominent emission lines of hydrogen in its spectrum. The designation is combined by the spectral class, B, and the lowercase e denoting emission in the spectral classification system. Line emission from other atomic ions might be present as well, but is typically...
subgiant
Subgiant star
A subgiant star is a star that is slightly brighter than a normal main-sequence star of the same spectral class, but not as bright as true giant stars...
. It is suspected Gamma Cassiopeiae
Gamma Cassiopeiae
Gamma Cassiopeiae is an eruptive variable star, whose brightness changes irregularly between +2.20 mag and +3.40 mag. It is the prototype of the Gamma Cassiopeiae variable stars. Although it is a fairly bright star, it has no traditional Arabic or Latin name...
type (GCAS) variable star
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...
, varying from 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...
2.62m to 2.66m. There is an expanding gas shell around the star. Its faint companion (CCDM J05396-3404 B) has an apparent magnitude of 12.3m and is 13.5" distant from the primary star.
Name
The proper name "Phact" (also Phad, Phaet, Phakt) derived from the Arabic ألفاجتة - fākh(i)tahBarbary Dove
The Ringneck Dove, Ring Dove, or Barbary Dove, Streptopelia risoria, is a domestic member of the dove family .Although the Ringneck Dove is normally assigned its own systematic name, as Streptopelia risoria, considerable doubt exists as to its appropriate classification...
". It was originally applied to the constellation Cygnus
Cygnus (constellation)
Cygnus is a northern constellation lying on the plane of the Milky Way. Its name is the Latinized Hellenic word for swan. One of the most recognizable constellations of the northern summer and autumn, it features a prominent asterism known as the Northern Cross...
as al-Fākhtah, but later transferred to this star. The etymology of its name hadāri (unknown meaning) has also been suggested.
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 Grandfather
Well (Chinese constellation)
The Well mansion is one of the Twenty-eight mansions of the Chinese constellations. It is one of the southern mansions of the Vermilion Bird.-Asterisms:...
, refers to an asterism consisting of α Columbae and ε Columbae
Epsilon Columbae
Epsilon Columbae , also known as Adeline's star is a giant star in the constellation Columba. It is approximately 531 light years from Earth.-References:#...
. Consequently, α Columbae itself is known as . From this Chinese name, the name Chang Jin was appeared