Alruba

Alruba
Location of Alruba (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Draco
Pronunciation /ælˈrbə/
Right ascension 17h 43m 59.17049s
Declination +54° 48 06.1637
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.76
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage Main sequence
Spectral type A0V
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−2.0 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 17.450 mas/yr
Dec.: −18.125 mas/yr
Parallax (π)7.1436±0.0605 mas
Distance457 ± 4 ly
(140 ± 1 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−0.3
Details
Mass2.97±0.07 M
Luminosity146.7+29.6
−24.7
 L
Surface gravity (log g)3.80±0.10 cgs
Temperature9,226+107
−106
 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.40±0.11 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)170 km/s
Age58 Myr
Other designations
Alruba, BD+53°1978, CPD–51°9815, HD 161693, HIP 86782, HR 6618, SAO 30538
Database references
SIMBADdata

Alruba, a name derived from Arabic for "the foal", is a suspected astrometric binary star system in the northern circumpolar constellation of Draco. It is just barely visible to the naked eye as a dim point of light with an apparent visual magnitude of 5.76. Based on parallax measurements obtained during the Gaia mission, it is located at a distance of about 457 light-years (140 parsecs) from the Sun. The system is drifting closer with a radial velocity of −2 km/s.

The visible component is an A-type main-sequence star with a stellar classification of A0 V. It is about 58 million years old with three times the mass of the Sun and has a high rate of spin, showing a projected rotational velocity of 170 km/s. The star is radiating 147 times the luminosity of the Sun from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 9,226 K. The system is a source for X-ray emission, which is most likely coming from the unseen companion.