Alpha Lyncis

α Lyncis
Location of α Lyncis (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Lynx
Right ascension 09h 21m 03.30021s
Declination +34° 23 33.2134
Apparent magnitude (V) +3.14
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage Giant star
Spectral type K7 III
U−B color index +1.95
B−V color index +1.55
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)37.15 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −218.723 mas/yr
Dec.: 16.555 mas/yr
Parallax (π)14.7±0.18 mas
Distance220.7+2.9
−2.6
 ly
(67.7+0.9
−0.8
 pc)
Absolute bolometric
magnitude
 (Mbol)
–2.32 ± 0.13
Details
Mass1.52±0.077 M
Radius58.15+0.73
−0.75
 R
Luminosity621.1±15.8 L
Surface gravity (log g)1.06±0.04 cgs
Temperature3,881±20 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.26±0.05 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)6.4 km/s
Age1.4 Gyr
Other designations
40 Lyncis, HR 3705, HD 80493, BD+35°1979, HIP 45860, SAO 61414, FK5 352, NSV 4456, GC 12880
Database references
SIMBADdata

Alpha Lyncis (α Lyn, α Lyncis) is the brightest star in the northern constellation of Lynx with an apparent magnitude of +3.13. Unusually, it is the only star in the constellation that has a Bayer designation. Based upon parallax measurements, this star is located about 220 light-years (67 parsecs) from the Earth.