Theta Delphini

θ Delphini
Location of θ Delphini (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Delphinus
Right ascension 20h 38m 43.98644s
Declination +13° 18 54.4543
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.69
Characteristics
Spectral type K3Ib
U−B color index +1.71
B−V color index 1.509±0.047
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−15.09±0.13 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 3.068 mas/yr
Dec.: −0.179 mas/yr
Parallax (π)1.5887±0.0738 mas
Distance2,050 ± 100 ly
(630 ± 30 pc)
Details
Mass5.69 M
Radius125 R
88±25 R
Luminosity2,333+1,103
−748
 L
Surface gravity (log g)1.3 cgs
Temperature3,986±170 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]+0.22 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)3.0 km/s
Other designations
θ Del, 8 Del, BD+12°4411, GC 28743, HD 196725, HIP 101882, HR 7892, SAO 106342
Database references
SIMBADdata

Theta Delphini, a name Latinized from θ Delphini, is a single star in the northern constellation of Delphinus. It has an apparent visual magnitude of about 5.7, meaning that it is just barely visible to the naked eye under excellent viewing conditions. The distance to this star is approximately 2,050 light years from the Sun based on parallax. It is drifting closer with a radial velocity of −15 km/s.

The stellar classification of Theta Delphini is K3Ib, which means it is a K-type supergiant. These types of stars form when relatively massive (10 to 30 M) stars like B-type main sequence stars run out of hydrogen to fuse and start cooling down. It has been described as a super-metal-rich star because of its high metallicity.