Zeta_Leonis

Zeta Leonis

Zeta Leonis

Binary star system in the constellation Leo

Zeta Leonis (ζ Leonis, abbreviated Zeta Leo, ζ Leo), also named Adhafera /ædəˈfɪərə/,[11] is a third-magnitude star in the constellation of Leo, the lion. It forms the second star (after Gamma Leonis) in the blade of the sickle, which is an asterism formed from the head of Leo.[12]

Quick Facts Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000, Constellation ...

Nomenclature

ζ Leonis (Latinised to Zeta Leonis) is the star's Bayer designation. It has the traditional name Adhafera (Aldhafera, Adhafara), which comes from the Arabic الضفيرة aḍ-ḍafīrah 'the braid/curl', a reference to its position in the lion's mane.[citation needed] In 2016, the International Astronomical Union organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)[13] to catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN's first bulletin of July 2016[14] included a table of the first two batches of names approved by the WGSN; which included Adhafera for this star.

Properties

Adhafera is a giant star with a stellar classification of F0 III. Since 1943, the spectrum of this star has served as one of the stable anchor points by which other stars are classified.[4] Its apparent magnitude is +3.44, making it relatively faint for a star that is visible to the naked eye. Nevertheless, it shines with 85 times the luminosity of the Sun.[8] Adhafera has about three times the Sun's mass[7] and six times the radius of the Sun.[8] Parallax measurements from the Hipparcos satellite yield an estimated distance to Adhafera of 274 light-years (84 parsecs)[1] from the Sun.

Adhafera forms a double star with an optical companion that has an apparent magnitude of 5.90. Known as 35 Leonis, this star is separated from Adhafera by 325.9 arcseconds along a position angle of 340°.[15][16] The two stars do not form a binary star system as 35 Leo is only 100 light years from Earth, thus separating the two stars by approximately 174 light-years (53 parsecs).

References

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    van Leeuwen, F. (November 2007), "Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 474 (2): 653–664, arXiv:0708.1752, Bibcode:2007A&A...474..653V, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078357, S2CID 18759600
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    Fernie, J. D. (May 1983), "New UBVRI photometry for 900 supergiants", Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 52: 7–22, Bibcode:1983ApJS...52....7F, doi:10.1086/190856
  3. [3]
    Montes, D.; et al. (November 2001), "Late-type members of young stellar kinematic groups - I. Single stars" (PDF), Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 328 (1): 45–63, arXiv:astro-ph/0106537, Bibcode:2001MNRAS.328...45M, doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04781.x, S2CID 55727428, archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-22, retrieved 2018-10-24
  4. [4]
    Garrison, R. F. (December 1993), "Anchor Points for the MK System of Spectral Classification", Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 25: 1319, Bibcode:1993AAS...183.1710G, archived from the original on 2019-06-25, retrieved 2012-02-04
  5. [5]
    Wielen, R.; et al. (1999), "Sixth Catalogue of Fundamental Stars (FK6). Part I. Basic fundamental stars with direct solutions", Veroeffentlichungen des Astronomischen Rechen-Instituts Heidelberg, 35 (35), Astronomisches Rechen-Institut Heidelberg: 1, Bibcode:1999VeARI..35....1W
  6. [6]
    Anderson, E.; Francis, Ch. (2012), "XHIP: An extended hipparcos compilation", Astronomy Letters, 38 (5): 331, arXiv:1108.4971, Bibcode:2012AstL...38..331A, doi:10.1134/S1063773712050015, S2CID 119257644.
  7. [7]
    Kaler, James B., "ADHAFERA (Zeta Leonis)", Stars, University of Illinois, retrieved 2010-05-12
  8. [8]
    Massarotti, Alessandro; et al. (January 2008), "Rotational and Radial Velocities for a Sample of 761 HIPPARCOS Giants and the Role of Binarity", The Astronomical Journal, 135 (1): 209–231, Bibcode:2008AJ....135..209M, doi:10.1088/0004-6256/135/1/209, S2CID 121883397
  9. [9]
    Gray, R. O.; Graham, P. W.; Hoyt, S. R. (April 2001), "The Physical Basis of Luminosity Classification in the Late A-, F-, and Early G-Type Stars. II. Basic Parameters of Program Stars and the Role of Microturbulence", The Astronomical Journal, 121 (4): 2159–2172, Bibcode:2001AJ....121.2159G, doi:10.1086/319957
  10. [10]
    "zet Leo -- Variable Star", SIMBAD, Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg, retrieved 2010-05-12
  11. [11]
    "List of IAU-approved Star Names". Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  12. [12]
    Proctor, Mary (July 1896), "Evenings with the Stars", Popular Astronomy, 4: 565
  13. [13]
    "IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)". Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  14. [14]
    "Bulletin of the IAU Working Group on Star Names, No. 1" (PDF). Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  15. [15]
    "CCDM (Catalog of Components of Double & Multiple stars (Dommanget+ 2002)", VizieR, Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg, retrieved 2010-05-12
  16. [16]
    Adhafera, Alcyone Bright Star Catalogue, retrieved 2010-05-12
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