SS Virginis

SS Virginis

The visual band light curve of SS Virginis, from AAVSO data
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Virgo
Right ascension 12h 25m 14.3952s
Declination +00° 46 10.9467
Apparent magnitude (V) 6.0 - 9.6
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage AGB
Spectral type C63e (Ne)
Variable type SRa
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)2 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −1.448±0.228 mas/yr
Dec.: 0.571±0.151 mas/yr
Parallax (π)1.4348±0.1018 mas
Distance2,300 ± 200 ly
(700 ± 50 pc)
Details
Mass3.2 M
Radius500 R
Luminosity5,400 L
Surface gravity (log g)1.86 cgs
Temperature2,445 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.38 dex
Other designations
SS Vir, BD+01°2694, HD 108105, HIP 120212, TYC 282-753-1
Database references
SIMBADdata

SS Virginis is a semiregular variable star that appears with a strong red hue. It varies in apparent magnitude from a maximum of 6.0 to a minimum of 9.6 over a typical period of 361 days. Its spectral class is C63e, indicating that SS Virginis is a carbon star. SS Virginis has a hydrogen-alpha emission line that varies widely, synchronized with the overall variations in light. The line becomes far more prominent as the star becomes brighter. Observations made in the near-infrared spectrum indicate that it has a radius of 500 solar radii, and its temperature is between 2,405 and 2,485 K.

The location of SS Virginis is two degrees north-following of η Virginis.