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Zeta Aurigae

Zeta Aurigae
Diagram showing star positions and boundaries of the Auriga constellation and its surroundings
Cercle rouge 100%.svg

The location of ζ Aurigae (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Auriga
Right ascension 05h 02m 28.68739s
Declination +41° 04′ 33.0200″
Apparent magnitude (V) 3.751(3.70 - 3.97)
Characteristics
Spectral type K5 II + B7 V
U−B color index +0.374
B−V color index +1.293
R−I color index 0.87
Variable type Algol
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) +12.8 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: +9.45 mas/yr
Dec.: -20.71 mas/yr
Parallax (π) 4.15 ± 0.29mas
Distance 790 ± 50 ly
(240 ± 20 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) −3.21
Orbit
Period (P) 972.162 d
Semi-major axis (a) 905 R
Eccentricity (e) 0.3973 ± 0.0007
Inclination (i) 87.0°
Periastron epoch (T) RJD 53039.9 ± 0.10
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
328.9° ± 0.13°
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)
23.17 ± 0.02 km/s
Details
ζ Aur A
Mass 4.94 ± 0.79 M
Luminosity 3,254 L
Surface gravity (log g) 1.33 cgs
Temperature 3,920 K
Metallicity [Fe/H] –0.26 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i) 68 km/s
ζ Aur B
Mass 4.8 M
Other designations
Hoedus I, Haedi Haedus, Sadatoni, Saclateni, ζ Aur, 8 Aurigae, BD+40°1142, FK5 1137, HD 32068, HIP 23453, HR 1612, SAO 39966.
Database references
SIMBAD data

Zeta Aurigae, Latinized from ζ Aurigae, is the Bayer designation for a binary star system in the northern constellation of Auriga. It has the traditional names Haedus and Sadatoni. Based upon parallax measurements made during the Hipparcos mission, this system is approximately 790 light-years (240 parsecs) distant from the Earth. It has a combined apparent visual magnitude of 3.75, which is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.

This is an eclipsing binary system with the orbital plane being oriented close to the line of sight from the Earth; the inclination of this system is estimated as 87.0°. As a result, an eclipse of one star by the other occurs during each orbit, causing the magnitude to decrease to +3.99. The pair have an orbital period of 972 days (2.66 years) and an eccentricity of 0.4. The primary component has been categorized as a K-type bright giant or supergiant star. Its companion is a B-type main sequence star of stellar classification B5 V or B7 V.

It has the traditional names Haedus (also Hoedus) and Sadatoni (rarely Saclateni). It is one of the two haedi (kids) of the she-goat Capella, the other being Haedus II, Eta Aurigae. The name Sadatoni is from the Arabic الساعد الثاني as-sācid aθ-θānī "the second arm (of the charioteer)". The rare traditional name Azaleh is shared (in the form Hassaleh) with Iota Aurigae.


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