Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
---|---|
Constellation | Auriga |
Right ascension | 05h 27m 52.40539s[2] |
Declination | +34° 46′ 58.3435″[2] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 8.19 to 8.83[3] |
Characteristics | |
Spectral type | B0p + B1Vp[3] + ? |
U−B color index | -0.66 |
B−V color index | 0.18 |
Variable type | Eclipsing binary[4] |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | 9 ± 5 km/s |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: −4.479[2] mas/yr Dec.: -9.049[2] mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 0.4786 ± 0.5765 mas[2] |
Other designations | |
Database references | |
SIMBAD | data |
IU Aurigae is a triple star[6] system in the constellation Auriga, consisting of an eclipsing binary pair orbiting a third component with a period of 335 years.[7] This system is too faint to be viewed with the naked eye, having a peak apparent visual magnitude of 8.19.[3] The eclipsing pair form a Beta Lyrae-type semidetached binary of two Bp stars[3] with a period of 1.81147435 days.[4] During the primary eclipse, the visual magnitude of the system drops to 8.89, while for the secondary it decreases to 8.74.[3][8] The third component is a massive object with 17–18 M☉, and may actually be a binary – which would make this a quadruple star system.[7]