Zeta Capricorni
Encyclopedia
Zeta Capricorni, is a fourth-magnitude star
in the constellation
Capricornus
. ζ Capricorni is a binary star
, with the primary component ζ Capricorni A being a yellow G-type
supergiant
with an apparent magnitude
of +3.77. It is considered one of the prototypical examples of a Barium star
, which makes it having overabundances of carbon molecules (such as C2) and s-process
elements. It is especially notable for having an overabundance of the s-process element praseodymium
.
Its companion, ζ Capricorni B is a white dwarf
.
The ζ Capricorni binary system is approximately 398 light years from Earth
.
, , meaning Twelve States
, refers to an asterism which is represent twelve ancient states in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period
, consisting of ζ Capricorni, φ Capricorni
, ι Capricorni
, 38 Capricorni, 35 Capricorni, 36 Capricorni
, χ Capricorni
, θ Capricorni
, 30 Capricorni, 33 Capricorni, 19 Capricorni, 26 Capricorni, 27 Capricorni, 20 Capricorni, η Capricorni
and 21 Capricorni. Consequently, ζ Capricorni itself is represent the state Yan
., together with ν Ophiuchi
in Left Wall of Heavenly Market Enclosure
(asterism).
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....
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...
. ζ Capricorni is a binary star
Binary 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...
, with the primary component ζ Capricorni A being a yellow G-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...
supergiant
Supergiant
Supergiants are among the most massive stars. They occupy the top region of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. In the Yerkes spectral classification, supergiants are class Ia or Ib . They typically have bolometric absolute magnitudes between -5 and -12...
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 +3.77. It is considered one of the prototypical examples of a Barium star
Barium star
Barium stars are G to K class giants, whose spectra indicate an overabundance of s-process elements by the presence of singly ionized barium, Ba II, at λ 455.4nm. Barium stars also show enhanced spectral features of carbon, the bands of the molecules CH, CN and C2...
, which makes it having overabundances of carbon molecules (such as C2) and s-process
S-process
The S-process or slow-neutron-capture-process is a nucleosynthesis process that occurs at relatively low neutron density and intermediate temperature conditions in stars. Under these conditions the rate of neutron capture by atomic nuclei is slow relative to the rate of radioactive beta-minus decay...
elements. It is especially notable for having an overabundance of the s-process element praseodymium
Praseodymium
Praseodymium is a chemical element that has the symbol Pr and atomic number 59. Praseodymium is a soft, silvery, malleable and ductile metal in the lanthanide group. It is too reactive to be found in native form, and when artificially prepared, it slowly develops a green oxide coating.The element...
.
Its companion, ζ Capricorni B is a white dwarf
White dwarf
A white dwarf, also called a degenerate dwarf, is a small star composed mostly of electron-degenerate matter. They are very dense; a white dwarf's mass is comparable to that of the Sun and its volume is comparable to that of the Earth. Its faint luminosity comes from the emission of stored...
.
The ζ Capricorni binary system is approximately 398 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...
.
Chinese Name
In ChineseChinese 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 Twelve States
Girl (Chinese constellation)
The Girl mansion is one of the Twenty-eight mansions of the Chinese constellations. It is one of the northern mansions of the Black Tortoise.- Asterisms :...
, refers to an asterism which is represent twelve ancient states in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
, consisting of ζ Capricorni, φ Capricorni
Phi Capricorni
Phi Capricorni is a star in the constellation Capricornus. φ Capricorni is an orange K-type bright giant with an apparent magnitude of +5.17...
, ι Capricorni
Iota Capricorni
Iota Capricorni is a star in the constellation Capricornus.ι Capricorni is a yellow G-type giant with a mean apparent magnitude of +4.28. It is approximately 216 light years from Earth...
, 38 Capricorni, 35 Capricorni, 36 Capricorni
36 Capricorni
36 Capricorni is a star in the constellation Capricornus. 36 Capricorni is a yellow G-type giant with an apparent magnitude of +4.50. It is approximately 179 light years from Earth.-Chinese Name:...
, χ Capricorni
Chi Capricorni
Chi Capricorni is a star in the constellation Capricornus. χ Capricorni is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +5.30...
, θ Capricorni
Theta Capricorni
Theta Capricorni is a star in the constellation Capricornus. θ Capricorni is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +4.08...
, 30 Capricorni, 33 Capricorni, 19 Capricorni, 26 Capricorni, 27 Capricorni, 20 Capricorni, η Capricorni
Eta Capricorni
Eta Capricorni is a binary star in the constellation Capricornus. It also has the traditional star name Arm. It is approximately 158 light years from Earth....
and 21 Capricorni. Consequently, ζ Capricorni itself is represent the state Yan
Yan (state)
Yān was a state during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history. Its capital was Ji...
., together with ν Ophiuchi
Nu Ophiuchi
Nu Ophiuchi is a Class K0, third-magnitude star in the constellation Ophiuchus. Its closest stellar neighbour is the bright binary system Tau Ophiuchi, roughly 16.9 light years away from the star...
in Left Wall of Heavenly Market Enclosure
Heavenly Market enclosure
Tian Shi Yuan, the Heavenly Market Enclosure , is one of the San Yuan or Three enclosures. Stars and constellations of this group are visible during late summer and early autumn in the Northern Hemisphere . The summer triangle lies directly to the northwest.-Asterisms:The asterisms are :...
(asterism).