Lambda Arae

Lambda Arae
Location of λ Arae (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Ara
Right ascension 17h 40m 23.826s
Declination −49° 24 56.10
Apparent magnitude (V) 4.77
Characteristics
Spectral type F4 V
U−B color index −0.04
B−V color index +0.40
R−I color index +0.22
Variable type 3.10
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+3.3±0.3 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: +104.233 mas/yr
Dec.: −175.956 mas/yr
Parallax (π)47.7045±0.1368 mas
Distance68.4 ± 0.2 ly
(20.96 ± 0.06 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)+3.06
Details
Mass1.37±0.04 M
Radius1.711±0.035 R
Luminosity4.69+0.03
0.05
 L
Surface gravity (log g)4.064+0.005
0.003
 cgs
Temperature6,495+3
7
 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.24 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)15.5 km/s
Age2.44±0.39 Gyr
Other designations
λ Ara, λ Arae, NSV 23218, CD−49°11616, GC 23918, GJ 686.2, GJ 9597, HD 160032, HIP 86486, HR 6569, SAO 228257, PPM 323240, NLTT 45187
Database references
SIMBADdata

Lambda Arae is a star in the southern constellation of Ara. Its name is a Bayer designation that is Latinized from λ Arae, and abbreviated Lambda Ara or λ Ara. The apparent visual magnitude of this star is 4.77, making it bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. Based on parallax measurements, it is located at a distance of 68 light-years (21 parsecs) from Earth. This star is drifting further away from the Sun with a radial velocity of +3 km/s.

The spectrum of this star matches a stellar classification of F4 V, which places it among the category of F-type main sequence stars. It is an estimated 2.4 billion years old, and is spinning with a projected rotational velocity of 15.5 km/s. This star has 40% more mass than the Sun and a 70% greater radius. It shines with 4.7 times the luminosity of the Sun. The outer atmosphere is radiating this energy at an effective temperature of 6,495 K, giving it the yellow-white hue of an F-type star. There is some evidence that this may be a binary star system consisting of two stars with identical masses.

Examination of Lambda Arae with the Spitzer Space Telescope shows an excess of infrared emission at a wavelength of 70 μm. This suggests it may be orbited by a disk of dust at a radius of more than 15 astronomical units