Psi Boötis

Psi Boötis
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation Boötes
Right ascension 15h 04m 26.743s
Declination +26° 56 51.53
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.55
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage red clump
Spectral type K2 III
U−B color index +1.34
B−V color index +1.23
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−25.72±0.18 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −174.718 mas/yr
Dec.: −5.036 mas/yr
Parallax (π)12.6144±0.0896 mas
Distance259 ± 2 ly
(79.3 ± 0.6 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)+0.16
Details
Mass1.38 M
Radius20 R
Luminosity135 L
Surface gravity (log g)2.2 cgs
Temperature4,302±22 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.35 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)3.5 km/s
Age4.16 Gyr
Other designations
Aulad al Nathlat, ψ Boo, 43 Boötis, BD+27°2447, FK5 557, GC 20285, HD 133582, HIP 73745, HR 5616, SAO 83645
Database references
SIMBADdata

Psi Boötis is a single, orange-hued star in the northern constellation of Boötes. Its name is a Bayer designation that is Latinized from ψ Boötis, and abbreviated Psi Boo or ψ Boo. This is a dim star that is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of +4.55. Based upon an annual parallax shift of 12.6 mas as seen from the Earth, it is located about 259 light-years (79 pc) from the Sun. At that distance, the visual magnitude is diminished by an extinction of 0.09 due to interstellar dust. It is traversing the sky with a net proper motion of 0.176 arc seconds per year, and has a radial velocity toward the Sun of −25.72 km/s.

This star has a stellar classification of K2 III, matching an evolved K-type giant star. It belongs to the so-called red clump, indicating that it is generating energy through helium fusion at its core. This star is about four billion years old and is spinning with a projected rotational velocity of 3.5 km/s. It has an estimated 1.38 times the mass of the Sun and has expanded to 20 times the Sun's radius. Psi Boötis radiating 135 times the Sun's luminosity from its enlarged photosphere at an effective temperature of 4,302 K.