29 Aquarii

29 Aquarii

The light curve of 29 Aquarii, from Hipparcos data
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Aquarius
Right ascension 22h 02m 26.24845s
Declination −16° 57 53.3959
Apparent magnitude (V) 6.39
Characteristics
Spectral type A2 V + K0 III
B−V color index 0.447±0.022
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+15.0±4.3 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: +5.292 mas/yr
Dec.: +1.256 mas/yr
Parallax (π)5.5489±0.1285 mas
Distance590 ± 10 ly
(180 ± 4 pc)
Orbit
Period (P)0.945 d
Eccentricity (e)0.00
Periastron epoch (T)2,436,814.418±1.0 JD
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)
97.9 km/s
Other designations
BD−17°6422, HD 209278, HIP 108797, HR 8396, SAO 164830, WDS J22024-1658
Database references
SIMBADdata

29 Aquarii is a binary star system located around 590 light years away from the Sun in the equatorial constellation of Aquarius. 29 Aquarii is the Flamsteed designation; the system also bears the variable star designation DX Aquarii. It is a challenge to view with the naked eye, appearing as a dim star with a combined apparent visual magnitude of 6.39. The system is moving further from the Earth with a heliocentric radial velocity of about +15 km/s.

This is a spectroscopic binary system with a close circular orbit taking just 0.945 days to complete. Despite their proximity, this does not appear to be a contact binary system. The orbital plane of the two stars lies near the line of sight, so they form an Algol-type eclipsing binary. The first component of the system is an A-type main sequence star with a stellar classification of A2 V. Its companion is giant star with a classification of K0 III.

The variability of this system was first noticed in 1965 by W. Strohmeier of Remeis-Observatory in Bamberg, Germany. He later discovered that the variability was caused by a binary companion eclipsing the primary star.