Gamma Draconis
 Location of γ Draconis (circled) |
|
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Draco |
| Right ascension | 17h 56m 36.36988s |
| Declination | +51° 29′ 20.0242″ |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 2.23 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | K5 III |
| U−B color index | +1.87 |
| B−V color index | +1.53 |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | –28.19 ± 0.36 km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) |
RA: –8.48 mas/yr Dec.: –22.79 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 21.14 ± 0.10mas |
| Distance | 154.3 ± 0.7 ly (47.3 ± 0.2 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | −1.93 ± 0.07 |
| Details | |
| Mass | 1.72 M☉ |
| Radius | 48.15 ± 1.09 R☉ |
| Luminosity | 471 ± 30 L☉ |
| Surface gravity (log g) | 1.55 cgs |
| Temperature | 3,930 K |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | –0.14 dex |
| Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 6.0 km/s |
| Other designations | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
Gamma Draconis (γ Draconis, abbreviated Gamma Dra, γ Dra), also named Eltanin, is a star in the northern constellation of Draco. Despite the gamma designation, it is actually the brightest star in Draco at magnitude 2.4, outshining Rastaban (Beta Draconis) by nearly half a magnitude. In 1.5 million years, Eltanin will pass within 28 light years of Earth. At this point (assuming its current absolute magnitude does not change) it will be the brightest star in the night sky, nearly as bright as Sirius is at present.
Its proximity to the zenith point directly overhead of London has earned it the name "Zenith Star." As for other locations, it is still relatively easy to locate in the night sky; if one finds Vega, Eltanin is the red star just north-northwest of it.
Eltanin is at a distance of 154.3 light-years (47.3 parsecs) from the Sun, as determined by parallax measurements from the Hipparcos astrometry satellite. In 1728, while unsuccessfully attempting to measure the parallax of this star, James Bradley discovered the aberration of light resulting from the movement of the Earth. Bradley's discovery confirmed Copernicus' theory that the Earth revolved around the Sun.
Gamma Draconis is an evolved giant star with a stellar classification of K5 III. Since 1943, the spectrum of this star has served as one of the stable anchor points by which other stars are classified. It has 72% more mass than the Sun and it has expanded to around 48 times the Sun's girth. It is radiating about 471 times as much luminosity as the Sun from its outer atmosphere at an effective temperature of 3,930 K. This is cooler than the Sun, giving this star the orange-hued glow of a K-type star.
...
Wikipedia