Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 |
|
---|---|
Constellation | Cassiopeia |
Right ascension | 23h 20m 44.5203s |
Declination | +61° 11′ 40.561″ |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 8.67 |
Characteristics | |
Spectral type | O6.5(f)(n)p |
U−B color index | −0.62 |
B−V color index | +0.41 |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | −26 km/s |
Proper motion (μ) |
RA: 3.10 mas/yr Dec.: 4.60 mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 13.0 ± 8.0mas |
Distance | 2,400pc |
Absolute magnitude (MV) | −5.5 |
Details | |
Mass | 44 M☉ |
Radius | 15 R☉ |
Luminosity | 398,000 L☉ |
Temperature | 37,500 K |
Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 178 - 240 km/s |
Age | 2 Myr |
Other designations | |
Database references | |
SIMBAD | data |
BD+60°2522 is a bright O-class star that has produced the Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) with its stellar wind. The exact classification of the star is uncertain, with a number of spectral peculiarities and inconsistencies between the appearance of the star itself and the effects on the nearby nebulosity, but it is undoubtedly a highly luminous hot massive star. Direct spectroscopy yields a spectral class of O6.5 and an effective temperature around 37,500K. It is a member of the Cassiopeia OB2 stellar association in the Perseus Arm of the galaxy at about 8,500 light years distance.
Although BD+60°2522 is around two million years old, the surrounding nebula is apparently only about 40,000 years old. The bubble is expected to be formed as a shock front where the stellar wind meets interstellar material at supersonic speeds. The wind from BD+60°2522 is travelling outwards at 1,800 - 2,500 km/s, causing the star to lose over a millionth of the mass of the sun every year.