Pi Capricorni
Encyclopedia
Pi Capricorni is a double star
in the constellation
Capricornus
. It also has the traditional star name Okul or Oculus (meaning eye in Latin
). It is approximately 670 light years from Earth
.
In Chinese
, , meaning Ox
(asterism), refers to an asterism consisting of π Capricorni, β Capricorni
, α2 Capricorni, ξ2 Capricorni
, ο Capricorni
and ρ Capricorni
. Consequently, π Capricorni itself is known as
The primary component, π Capricorni A, is a blue-white B-type
bright giant
with an apparent magnitude
of +5.08. It is a spectroscopic binary whose two components are separated by 0.1 arcseconds. The third component, π Capricorni B, is an eighth magnitude star 3.4 arcseconds from the primary.
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....
Capricornus
Capricornus
Capricornus is one of the constellations of the zodiac; it is often called Capricorn, especially when referring to the corresponding astrological sign. Its name is Latin for "horned male goat" or "goat horn", and it is commonly represented in the form of a sea-goat: a mythical creature that is half...
. It also has the traditional star name Okul or Oculus (meaning eye in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
). It is approximately 670 light years from Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
.
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 Ox
Ox (Chinese constellation)
The Ox mansion is one of the Twenty-eight mansions of the Chinese constellations. It is one of the northern mansions of the Black Tortoise.-Asterisms:...
(asterism), refers to an asterism consisting of π Capricorni, β Capricorni
Beta Capricorni
Beta Capricorni is a star system in the constellation Capricornus. It has the traditional name Dabih, which comes from the Arabic الذابح al-dhābiḥ, meaning "the butcher". The β Capricorni system is located 328 light years from Earth...
, α2 Capricorni, ξ2 Capricorni
Xi2 Capricorni
Xi2 Capricorni is a star in the constellation Capricornus. ξ2 Capricorni is a yellow-white F-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +5.84. It is approximately 91.5 light years from Earth....
, ο Capricorni
Omicron Capricorni
Omicron Capricorni is a binary star in the constellation Capricornus. It is approximately 137 light years from Earth....
and ρ Capricorni
Rho Capricorni
Rho Capricorni is a binary star in the constellation Capricornus. It is approximately 98.7 light years from Earth.Sometimes, this star is called by the name Bos, meaning the cow in Latin....
. Consequently, π Capricorni itself is known as
The primary component, π Capricorni A, is a blue-white B-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...
bright giant
Bright giant
The luminosity class II in the Yerkes spectral classification is given to bright giants. These are stars which straddle the boundary between giants and supergiants, and the classification is in general given to giant stars with exceptionally high luminosity, but which are not sufficiently bright...
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 +5.08. It is a spectroscopic binary whose two components are separated by 0.1 arcseconds. The third component, π Capricorni B, is an eighth magnitude star 3.4 arcseconds from the primary.