Beta Hydrae
Encyclopedia
Beta Hydrae is a double
star
in the constellation
of Hydra
. Its overall apparent visual magnitude varies by 0.04 magnitudes with a period of 2.344 days, and is approximately 4.27 at maximum brightness. The brighter star in the double is a giant
Bp star
which has been classified as an α2 Canum Venaticorum variable.
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...
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 Hydra
Hydra (constellation)
Hydra is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, measuring 1303 square degrees. It has a long history, having been included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy. It is commonly represented as a water snake...
. Its overall apparent visual magnitude varies by 0.04 magnitudes with a period of 2.344 days, and is approximately 4.27 at maximum brightness. The brighter star in the double is a 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...
Bp 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...
which has been classified as an α2 Canum Venaticorum variable.