HD 42540

HD 42540
Location of HD 42540 (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Pictor
Right ascension 06h 07m 03.40671s
Declination −62° 09 16.4496
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.04
Characteristics
Spectral type K2-3III
U−B color index +1.35
B−V color index +1.25
Variable type suspected
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+21.60 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: +15.513 mas/yr
Dec.: −70.013 mas/yr
Parallax (π)8.378±0.0939 mas
Distance389 ± 4 ly
(119 ± 1 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−0.18
Details
Mass2.8 M
Radius27 R
Luminosity270 L
Temperature4,530 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)1.7 km/s
Other designations
μ Dor, CD−62°235, FK5 2469, GC 7825, HIP 28991, HR 2196, HD 42540, NSV 2845, SAO 249451
Database references
SIMBADdata

HD 42540, also known as HR 2196, is a giant star in the constellation Pictor. A class K2-3III orange giant, its apparent magnitude is 5.04 and it is approximately 389 light years away based on parallax.

This star was mistakenly catalogued as Mu Doradus (Mu Dor/μ Doradus/μ Dor) at incorrect coordinates, then assumed to be variable as no 5th-magnitude star was seen at that position. It also has the Gould designation 47 G. Pictoris.