Rho Ophiuchi

ρ Ophiuchi
Location of ρ Ophiuchi (circled red)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Ophiuchus
Right ascension 16h 25m 35.11766s
Declination −23° 26 49.8150
Apparent magnitude (V) 4.63
Characteristics
ρ Oph AB
Spectral type B2/3V + B2V
U−B color index −0.56
B−V color index +0.24
Astrometry
ρ Oph AB
Radial velocity (Rv)−14.6±1.5 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −5.53 mas/yr
Dec.: −21.74 mas/yr
Parallax (π)7.19±0.13 mas
Distance451±12 ly
(138.2±3.6 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−2.5±0.3
Orbit
Primaryρ Oph Aa
Companionρ Oph Ab
Period (P)87.831±0.010 days
Semi-major axis (a)0.995±0.026 AU
Eccentricity (e)0.17931±0.00017
Inclination (i)71.348±0.020°
Longitude of the node (Ω)303.385±0.034°
Periastron epoch (T)60101.11 RJD
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
4.80±0.24°
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)
55.5±3.6 km/s
Semi-amplitude (K2)
(secondary)
65.7±3.6 km/s
Orbit
Primaryρ Oph A
Companionρ Oph B
Period (P)2,398±326 years
Semi-major axis (a)4.25±0.79
Eccentricity (e)0.675±0.322
Inclination (i)135.3±6.0°
Longitude of the node (Ω)77.5±13.5°
Periastron epoch (T)B 2327±343
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
226.1±15.3°
Orbit
Primaryρ Oph D
Companionρ Oph E
Period (P)675.5±32.5 years
Semi-major axis (a)1.01±0.15
Eccentricity (e)0.707±0.112
Inclination (i)134.8±2.7°
Longitude of the node (Ω)152.7±4.6°
Periastron epoch (T)B 2008.6±34.2
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
260.4±1.1°
Details
ρ Oph Aa
Mass9.21±0.79 M
Radius4.2±0.3 R
Luminosity4,270+980
−800
 L
Surface gravity (log g)4.25±0.25 cgs
Temperature23,000±1,000 K
Rotation1.205 days
Rotational velocity (v sin i)206±5 km/s
Age15±6 Myr
ρ Oph Ab
Mass7.79±0.70 M
Radius3.1±0.2 R
Luminosity1,000+400
−290
 L
Surface gravity (log g)4.25±0.25 cgs
Temperature19,000±1,000 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)227±5 km/s
Age15±6 Myr
ρ Oph B
Mass8 M
ρ Oph C
Mass5 M
ρ Oph D
Mass3.06 M
ρ Oph E
Mass1.97 M
Other designations
ρ Oph, 5 Oph, WDS J16256-2327
ρ Oph AB: CD−23°12861, HIP 80473
ρ Oph A: HD 147933, HR 6112, SAO 184382
ρ Oph B: HD 147934, HR 6113, SAO 184381
ρ Oph C: CD−23°12862, HIP 80474, SAO 184383
Database references
SIMBADρ Oph
ρ Oph A
ρ Oph B
ρ Oph C
ρ Oph D/E

Rho Ophiuchi (ρ Ophiuchi) is a multiple star system in the constellation Ophiuchus. The central system has an apparent magnitude of 4.63. Based on the central system's parallax, it is located about 450 light-years distant. The other stars in the system are slightly farther away.