Beta_Trianguli
Beta Trianguli
Binary star in the constellation Triangulum
Beta Trianguli (Beta Tri, β Trianguli, β Tri), also known as the Highstone, or Hoogsteen, is the Bayer designation for a binary star[11] system in the constellation Triangulum, located about 127 light years from Earth.[1] Although it is only a third-magnitude star,[2] it is the brightest star in the constellation Triangulum.[12]
This is a double-lined spectroscopic binary star system with an orbital period of 31.39 days and an eccentricity of 0.53.[6] The members are separated by a distance of less than 5 AU.[13] The primary component has a stellar classification of A5IV, indicating that it has evolved away from the main sequence and is now a subgiant star. However, the classification is uncertain and not consistent with the mass derived from the orbit.[7] It is among the least variable of the stars that were observed by the Hipparcos spacecraft, with a magnitude varying by only 0.0005.[14]
Based on observations using the Spitzer Space Telescope, as reported in 2005, this system is emitting an excess of infrared radiation. This emission can be explained by a circumbinary ring of dust. The dust is emitting infrared radiation at a blackbody temperature of 100 K.[13] It is thought to extend from 50 to 400 AU away from the stars.[7]