Beta Octantis

β Octantis
Location of β Octantis (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Octans
Right ascension 22h 46m 03.51098s
Declination −81° 22 53.8120
Apparent magnitude (V) 4.13
Characteristics
Spectral type A9IV-V
U−B color index +0.11
B−V color index +0.20
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+19.0±0.6 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −54.49 mas/yr
Dec.: +1.16 mas/yr
Parallax (π)21.85±0.43 mas
Distance149 ± 3 ly
(45.8 ± 0.9 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)+0.83
Details
Mass2.27 M
Radius3.2 R
Luminosity42 L
Surface gravity (log g)4.15 cgs
Temperature8,006 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.02 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)49 km/s
Age496 Myr
Other designations
β Oct, CPD−82°889, FK5 924, GC 31712, HD 214846, HIP 112405, HR 8630, SAO 258941
Database references
SIMBADdata

Beta Octantis, Latinized from β Octantis, is a probable astrometric binary star system in the southern circumpolar constellation of Octans. It is faintly visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.13. Based upon an annual parallax shift of 21.85 mas as seen from Earth, it is located about 149 light years from the Sun. It is moving away from the Sun with a radial velocity of +19 km/s.

Based upon a stellar classification of A9IV-V, the visible component is an evolving, white-hued A-type star with a spectrum that shows mixed traits of a main sequence and a subgiant star. It has an estimated 2.27 times the mass of the Sun and 3.2 times the Sun's radius. The star is around 500 million years old with a projected rotational velocity of 49 km/s. It is radiating 42 times the Sun's luminosity from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 8,006 K.