Theta Arietis

θ Arietis
Location of θ Arietis (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Aries
Right ascension 02h 18m 07.531s
Declination +19° 54 04.17
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.58
Characteristics
Spectral type A1 Vn
U−B color index +0.02
B−V color index +0.01
Variable type Constant
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+11.95±0.78 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −7.832 mas/yr
Dec.: −3.654 mas/yr
Parallax (π)7.2220±0.1043 mas
Distance452 ± 7 ly
(138 ± 2 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−0.10
Details
A
Mass2.10+0.37
−0.31
 M

2.94±0.06 M
Radius1.9–2.5 R
Luminosity106 L
Surface gravity (log g)4.00±0.25 cgs
Temperature9,500±1,000 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)186 km/s
Age107+286
−93
 Myr
B
Mass1.0+0.02
−0.04
 M
Temperature5,578±109 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]0.0 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)5 km/s
Other designations
θ Ari, 22 Arietis, BD+19 340, FK5 81, HD 14191, HIP 10732, HR 669, SAO 92877
Database references
SIMBADdata

Theta Arietis, is a binary star system in the northern constellation of Aries. Its name is a Bayer designation that is Latinised from θ Arietis, and abbreviated Theta Ari or θ Ari. This star is faintly visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of 5.58. With an annual parallax shift of 7.22 mas, the distance to this star is an estimated 452 light-years (139 parsecs) with a 7-light-year margin of error. It is drifting further away from the Sun with a radial velocity of +12 km/s.

The primary, component A, is a white-hued, A-type main-sequence star with a stellar classification of A1 Vn. It is spinning at a rapid pace as shown by the projected rotational velocity of 186 km/s. This is causing the "nebulous" appearance of the absorption lines indicated by the 'n' suffix in the classification. In 2005, C. Neiner and associates classified this as a Be star because is displays emission features in the hydrogen Balmer lines.

In 2016, a solar-mass companion was reported in close orbit around this star, based on observations using adaptive optics with the Gemini North Telescope.