Epsilon Arietis

ε Arietis
Location of ε Arietis (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Aries
Right ascension 02h 59m 12.726s
Declination +21° 20 25.54
Apparent magnitude (V) 4.63 (5.2/5.5)
Characteristics
Spectral type A2 Vs + A2 Vs
U−B color index +0.08
B−V color index +0.04
R−I color index 0.02
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+0.9±0.9 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −15.884 mas/yr
Dec.: −7.151 mas/yr
Parallax (π)9.0296±0.1851 mas
Distance361 ± 7 ly
(111 ± 2 pc)
Orbit
Period (P)704.111±1.778 yr
Semi-major axis (a)2.174±0.035
Eccentricity (e)0.317±0.006
Inclination (i)84.2±0.8°
Longitude of the node (Ω)25.6±0.7°
Periastron epoch (T)704.111±1.778
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
162.1±1.0°
Details
ε Ari A
Mass2.4 M
Rotational velocity (v sin i)60 km/s
ε Ari B
Mass2.4 M
Rotational velocity (v sin i)60 km/s
Other designations
48 Arietis, BD+20 484, HIP 13914, ADS 2257, WDS J02592+2120AB
ε Ari A: GC 3582, HD 18520, HR 888, SAO 75673, PPM 92122
ε Ari B: HD 18519, HR 887
Database references
SIMBADε Ari
ε Ari A
ε Ari B

Epsilon Arietis is a visual binary star system in the northern constellation of Aries. Its name is a Bayer designation that is Latinized from ε Arietis, and abbreviated Epsilon Ari or ε Ari. This system has a combined apparent visual magnitude of 4.63 and can be seen with the naked eye, although the two components are too close together to be resolved without a telescope. With an annual parallax shift of 9.03 mas, the distance to this system can be estimated as 361 light-years (111 parsecs), give or take a 7 light-year margin of error. It is located behind the dark cloud MBM12.

The brighter member of this pair has an apparent magnitude of 5.2. At an angular separation of 1.426″±0.010″ from the brighter component, along a position angle of 209.2°±0.3°, is the magnitude 5.5 companion. Both are A-type main sequence stars with a stellar classification of A2 Vs. (The 's' suffix indicates that the absorption lines in the spectrum are distinctly narrow.) In the 2009 Catalogue of Ap, HgMn and Am stars, the two stars have a classification of A3 Ti, indicating they are Ap stars with an anomalous abundance of titanium. Within the measurement margin of error, their projected rotational velocities are deemed identical at 60 km/s.