Mu Leonis

Mu Leonis (μ Leonis, abbreviated Mu Leo, μ Leo), also named Rasalas /ˈræsəlæs/,[8][9] is a star in the constellation of Leo. The apparent visual magnitude of this star is 3.88,[2] which is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. Based upon an annual parallax shift of 0.02628 arc seconds as measured by the Hipparcos satellite,[1] this system is 124 light-years (38.1 parsecs) from the Sun. In 2014, an exoplanet was discovered to be orbiting the star.

Mu Leonis
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation Leo
Right ascension 09h 52m 45.81654s[1]
Declination +26° 00′ 25.0319″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 3.88[2]
Characteristics
Spectral type K2 IIIb CN1 Ca1[3]
U−B color index +1.38[2]
B−V color index +1.23[2]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)14.03±0.19[4] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −217.31[1] mas/yr
Dec.: −54.26[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)26.28 ± 0.16[1] mas
Distance124.1 ± 0.8 ly
(38.1 ± 0.2 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)+0.83[5]
Details
Mass1.5±0.1[6] M☉
Radius14[4] R☉
Luminosity63[4] L☉
Surface gravity (log g)2.5[4] cgs
Temperature4,436[4] K
Metallicity [Fe/H]+0.17[4] dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)4.5[4] km/s
Age3.35±0.70[6] Gyr
Other designations
Rasalas, Alshemali, μ Leo, 24 Leonis, BD+26°2019, HD 85503, HIP 48455, HR 3905, SAO 81064[7]
Database references
SIMBADdata

Nomenclature

μ Leonis (Latinised to Mu Leonis) is the star's Bayer designation.

It bore the traditional names Rasalas and Alshemali, both abbreviations of Ras al Asad al Shamaliyy.[10] In 2016, the International Astronomical Union organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)[11] to catalogue and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN approved the name Rasalas for this star on 12 September 2016 and it is now so included in the List of IAU-approved Star Names.[9]

Properties

Mu Leonis is an evolved K-type giant star with a stellar classification of K2 IIIb CN1 Ca1.[3] The trailing notation indicates that, for a star of its type, it has stronger than normal absorption lines of cyanogen and calcium in its spectrum.[12] It has around 1.5 times the Sun's mass, but has expanded to around 14 times the Sun's radius. Mu Leonis shines with 63 times the luminosity of the Sun from an outer atmosphere that has an effective temperature of 4,436 K. It is around 3.35 billion years old.[4]

Planetary system

In 2014 it was announced that Mu Leonis has a planetary companion that is at least 2.4 times as massive as Jupiter and orbits with a period of 358 days. This planet was detected by measuring radial velocity variations caused by gravitational displacement from the orbiting body.[6]

The Mu Leonis system
Companion MassSemimajor axis
(AU)		Orbital periodEccentricityDiscovery year
b≤2.4±0.4 MJ1.1±0.1357.8±1.2 days0.09±0.062014

References
  1. van Leeuwen, F. (2007), "Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 474 (2): 653–664, arXiv:0708.1752, Bibcode:2007A&A...474..653V, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078357, S2CID 18759600.
  2. Mermilliod, J.-C. (1986), "Compilation of Eggen's UBV data, transformed to UBV (unpublished)", Catalogue of Eggen's UBV Data, SIMBAD, Bibcode:1986EgUBV........0M.
  3. Keenan, P.; McNeil, R. (October 1989), "The Perkins catalog of revised MK types for the cooler stars", Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 71: 245–266, Bibcode:1989ApJS...71..245K, doi:10.1086/191373.
  4. Massarotti, Alessandro; et al. (January 2008), "Rotational and Radial Velocities for a Sample of 761 HIPPARCOS Giants and the Role of Binarity", The Astronomical Journal, 135 (1): 209–231, Bibcode:2008AJ....135..209M, doi:10.1088/0004-6256/135/1/209.
  5. Cardini, D. (January 2005), "Mg II chromospheric radiative loss rates in cool active and quiet stars", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 430: 303–311, arXiv:astro-ph/0409683, Bibcode:2005A&A...430..303C, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20041440, S2CID 12136256.
  6. Lee, B.-C.; et al. (2014). "Planetary Companions in K giants β Cancri, μ Leonis, and β Ursae Minoris". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 566: 7. arXiv:1405.2127. Bibcode:2014A&A...566A..67L. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201322608. S2CID 118631934. A67.
  7. "* mu. Leo". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  8. Rumrill, H. B. (June 1936). "Star Name Pronunciation". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. San Francisco, California. 48 (283): 139. Bibcode:1936PASP...48..139R. doi:10.1086/124681.
  9. "Naming Stars". IAU.org. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  10. Allen, Richard Hinckley (1899), Star-names and Their Meanings, G. E. Stechert, retrieved 2016-09-28.
  11. IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN), International Astronomical Union, retrieved 22 May 2016.
  12. Keenan, Philip C. (August 1987), "Spectral types and their uses", Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 99: 713–723, Bibcode:1987PASP...99..713K, doi:10.1086/132036.
  • Kaler, James B., "Rasalas", Stars, University of Illinois, retrieved 19 August 2014.
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