Zeta Sagittarii

ζ Sagittarii
Location of ζ Sagittarii (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Sagittarius
Right ascension 19h 02m 36.73024s
Declination −29° 52 48.2279
Apparent magnitude (V) +2.59
(3.27 (A) / 3.48 (B))
Characteristics
Spectral type A2.5 Va
U−B color index +0.05
B−V color index +0.08
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+22 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: +10.79 mas/yr
Dec.: +21.11 mas/yr
Parallax (π)36.98±0.87 mas
Distance88 ± 2 ly
(27.0 ± 0.6 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)1.11 (A)/1.32 (B)
Orbit
PrimaryAa
CompanionAb
Period (P)1 month
Semi-major axis (a)0.3 au
Orbit
PrimaryA
CompanionB
Period (P)21.00 ± 0.01 years
Semi-major axis (a)0.489 ± 0.001" (13.2 au)
Eccentricity (e)0.211 ± 0.001
Inclination (i)111.1 ± 0.1°
Longitude of the node (Ω)74.0 ± 0.1°
Periastron epoch (T)2005.99 ± 0.03
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
7.2 ± 0.6°
Details
Aa
Mass1.83 M
Radius1.9 R
Luminosity14.9 L
Surface gravity (log g)3.90 cgs
Temperature8,230 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)77 km/s
Age700 Myr
Ab
Mass1.81 M
Radius1.9 R
Luminosity14.7 L
Temperature8,200 K
Age700 Myr
B
Mass2.03 M
Radius2.3 R
Luminosity24 L
Temperature8,460 K
Age700 Myr
Other designations
Ascella, ζ Sagittarii, ζ Sgr, Zeta Sgr, 38 Sagittarii, CCDM J19026-2953AB, CPD−30 5798, GC 26161, HD 176687, HIP 93506, HR 7194, IDS 18562-3001 AB, PPM 269230, SAO 187600, WDS J19026-2953AB
Database references
SIMBADdata

Zeta Sagittarii (ζ Sagittarii, abbreviated Zeta Sgr, ζ Sgr) is a triple star system and the third-brightest star in the constellation of Sagittarius after Kaus Australis and Nunki. Based upon parallax measurements, it is about 88 light-years (27 parsecs) from the Sun.

The three components are designated Zeta Sagittarii Aa (officially named Ascella /əˈsɛlə/, the traditional name for the entire system), Ab and B. The Washington Double Star Catalog cites a component separated 72.3" from the system, but it is a background star unrelated to the pair.