Alpha Volantis

α Volantis
Location of α Volantis (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Volans
Right ascension 09h 02m 26.79592s
Declination −66° 23 45.8727
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.00
Characteristics
Spectral type kA3hA5mA5 V
U−B color index +0.13
B−V color index +0.14
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+4.9 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −2.00 mas/yr
Dec.: +95.51 mas/yr
Parallax (π)26.11±0.12 mas
Distance124.9 ± 0.6 ly
(38.3 ± 0.2 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)+1.60
Orbit
Period (P)0.652 ± 0.001 yr
Semi-major axis (a)0.0321 ± 0.0013″
Eccentricity (e)0.041 ± 0.038
Inclination (i)101.9 ± 2.3°
Longitude of the node (Ω)105.3 ± 1.4°
Periastron epoch (T)2015.593 ± 0.063
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
248.5 ± 34.2°
Details
Mass1.87 M
Radius1.9 R
Surface gravity (log g)4.09 cgs
Temperature8,198 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]+0.19 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)30.6±0.4 km/s
Age427+183
−377
 Myr
Other designations
CPD−65°1065, FK5 343, GJ 333.3, GJ 9284, HD 78045, HIP 44382, HR 3615, SAO 250422
Database references
SIMBADdata

Alpha Volantis (Alpha Vol), Latinized from α Volantis, is a binary star system located in the southern constellation Volans. It has an apparent visual magnitude of +4.00, which is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. Based upon parallax measurements made with the Hipparcos spacecraft, it is located at a distance of 125 light years from the Sun. As of 2010, the two components of this system had an angular separation of 0.0318 along a position angle of 286.9°. The magnitude difference between the two components is 0.1. It is considered a member of the Sirius supercluster.

The primary component is an Am star with a stellar classification of kA3hA5mA5 V. This notation indicates the star has the weak calcium II K-line of an A3 star, and the hydrogen and metallic lines of an A5 star. It has an estimated age of 427 million years. In 1992, it was found to be emitting an infrared excess, suggesting the presence of a circumstellar disk of dust. However, subsequent observations have not confirmed this.