Zeta Trianguli Australis

Zeta Trianguli Australis
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Triangulum Australe
Right ascension 16h 28m 28.14362s
Declination −70° 05 03.8419
Apparent magnitude (V) 4.91
Characteristics
Spectral type F9V + M4V
U−B color index +0.02
B−V color index +0.55
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+8.3 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 200.742 mas/yr
Dec.: 109.341 mas/yr
Parallax (π)82.8699±0.1627 mas
Distance39.36 ± 0.08 ly
(12.07 ± 0.02 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)4.49
Orbit
Period (P)12.97662±0.00017 d
Eccentricity (e)0.01442±0.00021
Inclination (i)35±19°
Periastron epoch (T)JD 2452752.31955
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
252.98°±0.80°
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)
7.4988±0.0016 km/s
Details
ζ TrA A
Mass1.12 M
Radius1.02±0.02 R
Luminosity1.41+0.15
−0.09
 L
Surface gravity (log g)4.42+0.04
−0.05
 cgs
Temperature6,210+180
−120
 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.09±0.06 dex
Rotation13 days
Rotational velocity (v sin i)3.23 km/s
Age600–900 Myr
ζ TrA B
Mass0.30 M
Temperature3,327 K
Other designations
CD−69°2558, FK5 610, GJ 624, HD 147584, HIP 80686, HR 6098, SAO 253554, LTT 6558
Database references
SIMBADdata
ARICNSdata

Zeta Trianguli Australis is a spectroscopic binary star system in the southern constellation Triangulum Australe. The pair have a combined apparent visual magnitude of 4.90, which is bright enough to be visible to the naked eye. Based on parallax measurements, the system is located at a distance of approximately 39.4 light years from Earth. After closing to within 31.3 ly (9.59 pc) some 436,600 years ago, it is now drifting farther away with a radial velocity of +8.3 km/s.

The pair orbit each other once every 13 days, and the orbital eccentricity is a low 0.014, making their orbit nearly circular. The primary component has a stellar classification of F9V, matching an F-type main-sequence star. It has a mass equal to 1.12 times the mass of the Sun, a radius 1.06 times the radius of the Sun, and irradiated at an effective temperature of 6,032 K, slightly hotter than the Sun as well. The companion is a small red dwarf star with a class in the range of M1–7V and 40% of the Sun's mass. The age of the system is estimated at 600–900 million years.

Any objects orbiting the pair in a circumbinary orbit should have an orbital separation of 0.217 AU or higher; otherwise its orbit would be unstable due to gravitational interactions.

Somewhat surprisingly for a star located at a declination of 70° S, it is a candidate swarm member of the Ursa Major moving group. However, there is some evidence to the contrary.