Beta Arae

β Arae
Location of β Arae (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Ara
Right ascension 17h 25m 17.989s
Declination −55° 31 47.57
Apparent magnitude (V) 2.84
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage Red supergiant
Spectral type K0/1Ib
U−B color index +1.56
B−V color index +1.46
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−0.3±0.2 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −8.51 mas/yr
Dec.: −25.24 mas/yr
Parallax (π)4.5601±0.2077 mas
Distance714+39
−34
 ly
(218.8+12.0
−10.4
 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−3.494
Details
Mass5.89±0.07 or 7.89±0.4 M
Radius141.4±6.6 R
Luminosity5,774±535 L
Surface gravity (log g)0.97±0.06 cgs
Temperature4,232±17 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]0.5±0.1 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)5.4±1.0 km/s
Age50.1±4.4 Myr
Other designations
CPD55°8100, FK5 645, GC 23515, HD 157244, HIP 85258, HR 6461, SAO 244725, PPM 345989
Database references
SIMBADdata

Beta Arae is the brightest star in the constellation of Ara. This is a very luminous, relatively young red supergiant with an apparent visual magnitude of 2.84 and an absolute magnitude of −3.494. Its name is a Bayer designation that is Latinized from β Arae, and abbreviated Beta Ara or β Ara. Based on a photogeometric estimation method, it is 710 light-years away, a distance of which interstellar extinction in the line of sight reduces its apparent magnitude by 0.193 magnitudes.