Alpha Herculis

α Herculis
Location of α Herculis (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Hercules
A
Right ascension 17h 14m 38.853s
Declination +14° 23 25.34
Apparent magnitude (V) 3.350 (2.7–4.0)
B
Right ascension 17h 14m 39.181s
Declination +14° 23 23.98
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.322
Characteristics
A
Evolutionary stage AGB
Spectral type M5 Ib-II
U−B color index +1.01
B−V color index +1.45
Variable type SRc
B
Spectral type G8III + A9IV-V
Astrometry
Proper motion (μ) RA: −7.32 mas/yr
Dec.: 36.07 mas/yr
Parallax (π)9.07±1.32 mas
Distanceapprox. 360 ly
(approx. 110 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−2.3 + 1.8 + 2.8
Details
A
Mass2.5+1.6
−1.1
 M
Radius284 ± 60, 264–303 R
Luminosity7,244–9,333 L
Surface gravity (log g)−0.41±0.19 cgs
Temperature3,155–3,365 K
Ba
Mass~2.5 M
Luminosity126 L
Temperature4,900 K
Bb
Mass~2 M
Luminosity26 L
Temperature7,350 K
Age0.41–1.25 Gyr
Other designations
Ras Algethi, Rasalgethi, α Her, 64 Her, BD+14°3207, HIP 84345, CCDM J17146+1424, AAVSO 1710+14, WDS J17146+1423
A: HD 156014, HR 6406, SAO 102680
B: HD 156015, HR 6407, SAO 102681
Database references
SIMBADα Her
A
B

Alpha Herculis (α Herculis, abbreviated Alpha Her, α Her), also designated Rasalgethi and 64 Herculis, is a multiple star system in the constellation of Hercules. Appearing as a single point of light to the naked eye, it is resolvable into a number of components through a telescope. It has a combined apparent magnitude of 3.08, although the brightest component is variable in brightness. Based on parallax measurements obtained during the Hipparcos mission, it is approximately 360 light-years (110 parsecs) distant from the Sun. It is also close to another bright star Rasalhague in the vicinity.