GY Andromedae

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GY Andromedae
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Andromeda
Right ascension 01h 38m 31.82463s[1]
Declination +45° 23′ 58.9324″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 6.36[2]
Characteristics
Spectral type B9 pe[3]
U−B color index -0.10[2]
B−V color index +0.04[2]
Variable type α2 CVn
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) +3.0[4] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: -15.64[1] mas/yr
Dec.: -0.77[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π) 6.23 ± 0.72[1] mas
Distance approx. 520 ly
(approx. 160 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) +0.68[5]
Details
Mass 2.47 ± 0.15[5] M
Radius 2.6 ± 0.4[5] R
Luminosity 52[5] L
Surface gravity (log g) 4.01 ± 0.14[5] cgs
Temperature 10,723[6] K
Metallicity [Fe/H] 0.86[6] dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i) 31[7] km/s
Orbit[8]
Companion GY And B
Period (P) 272.99 days
Semi-major axis (a) > 0.25 AU
Eccentricity (e) 0.47
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
17.7°
Other designations
BD +44°341, HD 9996, HIP 7651, HR 465, SAO 37393.[3]
Database references
SIMBAD data

GY Andromedae (GY And) is an α2 Canum Venaticorum type variable star in the northern constellation Andromeda. Its brightness fluctuates in visual magnitude between 6.27m and 6.41m, making it a challenge to view with the naked eye even in good seeing conditions. The magnetic activity on this star shows an unusually long period of variability, cycling about once every 23 years.[9] Based upon parallax measurements, this star is located at a distance of about 520 light-years (160 parsecs) from the Earth.[1]

This is classified as an Ap/Bp star, with a peculiar spectrum[9] showing lines of chromium and europium that change in intensity over a period matching the variability cycle, although opposite in phase.[10] Its most striking characteristic is the presence of the unstable element promethium in its emission spectrum. All isotopes of this element are radioactive with half lives of 17.7 years or less. The promethium in the outer envelope may be generated by the spontaneous fission of higher mass transuranic elements.[11]

In 1958, American astronomer Horace W. Babcock discovered that this is a spectroscopic binary star. It has an orbital period of 273 days with a large eccentricity of 0.47. The two components are separated by an estimated distance of at least 3.74 × 107 km, or 0.25 Astronomical Units.[8]

References

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External links