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Zeta Chamaeleontis — Star in Chamaeleon

Magnitude 5.1–5.2m Star Chamaeleon (Cha) Visible
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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.11
Range 5.05 - 5.11
Period 2.2 days
Variable Type Ellipsoidal Variable
Spectral Type B5V
Star Color Blue (B-V -0.14)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 09h 33m 53.2s
Dec -80° 56' 29.0"
Constellation Chamaeleon (Cha)
HR 3860
HIP 46928
HD 83979
SAO 258538
Bayer Zeta
Variable ID Zet Cha
SIMBAD

3How easy to spot?

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Equipment Bortle 3 Bortle 4 Bortle 5
Naked eye Medium Hard+ Hard+
50mm finder Easy Easy Easy
150mm scope Easy Easy Easy
Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

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Best season Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Survey Image

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6

Size Comparison

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7

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8

Spectral Classification

9

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

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Read: The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram — Reading Stars Like a Map
10

Stellar Lifecycle

11

Blackbody Spectrum

12

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.

13

Stellar Fusion

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14Stellar Notes

5.06 - 5.17V, 0.04R.
Sco-Cen assoc.
Two discordant classifications: F2II, A9IV.

Nearby in the Sky

Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.

Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.

Eta Cha
Easy
Easy double, sep 8.0″
Double Star mag 5.47 3.0° Chamaeleon
TZ Men
Medium
Eclipsing binary, period 8.6d
Variable Star mag 6.20 7.9° Mensa
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