BETA (β) SCORPII
OPTICAL DOUBLE STAR

Right Ascension:
16h 05m 26.3s

Best Seen:
7/1 - 9/1

Declination:
-19º 48' 13"
Combined
Magnitude:
2.44

Computer File:
betasco

Constellation:
Scorpius

Apparent
Separation: 12.8"

Actual

Compared to Sun

Distance

530 / 1132 l.y

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Actual Brightness

--

1970 / 1040

Magnitude

2.56 / 4.90

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Mass

--

--

Surface Gravity

--

--

Surface Composition (by mass)

74% hydrogen 24% helium 2% everything else

same

Spectral Type

B0.5 V / B2 V

G2 V

Density (gram/cubic cm)

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR THROUGH THE TELESCOPE:

  1. Recommended eyepiece: 24mm or 40 mm.

  2. When people look through the telescope they should see two stars next to each other. One star should be slightly brighter than the other.

  3. INCLUDE THIS? Both stars have dimmer companion stars. They may be seen.

BETA SCORPII INFORMATION:

  1. The brighter star, Star A, is actually a multiple star.

a. However, we can’t see its companion: Star A is a “spectroscopic binary,” which means its companion is detected by looking at a spectra of Star A.

b. This companion is so close to Star A, they orbit each other in just under 7 days. This means they’re closer than Mercury is to our Sun.

  1. The dimmer star, Star B, may also be part of a multiple system.

  2. Through the telescope, dim stars can be seen close to both Stars A and B. It is unclear whether these stars form multiple systems with A and B, or if they are also optical doubles.

In here previously, but cannot be – this is an optical double, not a multiple:

  1. This is actually a 5-member system. A third star has a magnitude of 9.5 and a period of about 1,000 years.

Item
Updated Notes

Coordinates 11-27-2002
difference between two, SIMBAD and Scott’s The Flamsteed Collection

Combined Magnitude
11-27-2002
with Flamsteed

Apparent Separation 11-27-2002
with Flamsteed

Distance
11-27-2002
with Flamsteed and SIMBAD

Actual Brightness
11-27-2002
with Flamsteed

Magnitude
11-27-2002
with Flamsteed

Mass

Surface Gravity

Surface Composition 01-06-2003
OK for all stars

Spectral Type
11-27-2002
with Flamsteed and SIMBAD

Density

Other Information
11-27-2002
from http://skyandtelescope.com/news/current/article_801_1.asp and SIMBAD ** NOTE: SIMBAD says Star A (HD 144217) is a “spectroscopic binary” while B (HD 144218) is a “Star in double system”