Lambda Ceti
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Cetus |
| Right ascension | 02h 59m 42.89987s |
| Declination | +08° 54′ 26.4899″ |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 4.71 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | B6III |
| U−B color index | −0.471 |
| B−V color index | −0.109±0.006 |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | 10.2±2.8 km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: 6.01±0.26 mas/yr Dec.: −17.70±0.29 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 5.66±0.24 mas |
| Distance | 580 ± 20 ly (177 ± 7 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | −1.52 |
| Details | |
| Mass | 5.01±0.05 M☉ |
| Radius | 5.4 R☉ |
| Luminosity | 652 L☉ |
| Temperature | 13,940±710 K |
| Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 131 km/s |
| Age | 100-125 Myr |
| Other designations | |
| Menkar, λ Cet, 91 Cet, BD+08°455, FK5 1083, HD 18604, HIP 13954, HR 896, SAO 110889 | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
Lambda Ceti, Latinized from λ Ceti, is a B-type star of fifth-magnitude located in the constellation Cetus. Historically, the star bore the traditional name Menkar, although today that name is more commonly associated with α Ceti.
This star, along with α Cet (Menkar), γ Cet (Kaffaljidhma), δ Cet, μ Cet, ξ1 Cet and ξ2 Cet were Al Kaff al Jidhmah, "the Part of a Hand".
In Chinese, 天囷 (Tiān Qūn), meaning Circular Celestial Granary, refers to an asterism consisting of λ Ceti, α Ceti, κ1 Ceti, μ Ceti, ξ1 Ceti, ξ2 Ceti, ν Ceti, γ Ceti, δ Ceti, 75 Ceti, 70 Ceti, 63 Ceti and 66 Ceti. Consequently, the Chinese name for λ Ceti itself is 天囷三 (Tiān Qūn sān, English: the Third Star of Circular Celestial Granary.)