R Carinae — Variable Star in Carina
Showpiece (84/100)
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1Physical Properties
Magnitude
6.10
Range
3.90 - 10.50
Period
308 days
Variable Type
Mira (Long-period Pulsating)
Spectral Type
M6-7IIIep
Star Color
Red
(B-V 1.43)
2Position & Identifiers
RA
09h 32m 14.6s
Dec
-62° 47' 20.0"
Constellation
Carina
(Car)
HR
3816
HIP
46806
HD
82901
SAO
250614
Variable ID
R Car
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3How easy to follow?
Magnitude
3.9 – 10.1 mag
Amplitude
6.2 mag
Period
307.9 d
Type
M
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| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Imp. | Imp. | Imp. |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Hard+ | Hard | V. hard+ |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Medium+ |
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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6Light Curve
7Comparison Stars for R Car (3.9–10.1)
Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)
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8
Size Comparison
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9
Compare Stars
10
Spectral Classification
11
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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12
Stellar Lifecycle
13
Blackbody Spectrum
14
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
15
Stellar Fusion
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16Stellar Notes
Component A of visual double. M 3.9 - 10.1v, 308.71d.
Also classified M4e-M8e.
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.
NGC 2887
Elliptical galaxy
Galaxy
mag 11.66
1.4°
Carina
l Car
Pulsating variable, period 35.6d
Variable Star
mag 3.69
1.5°
Carina
Upsilon Car
HIP 48002; Upsilon Carinae
Easy double, sep 5.1″
Double Star
mag 3.01
2.8°
Carina
NGC 2808
Globular cluster — dense ball of ancient stars
Globular Cluster
mag 6.3
3.0°
Carina
S Car
Mira-type variable, range 4.5–9.9
Variable Star
mag 5.60
4.5°
Carina
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