R Centauri — Variable Star in Centaurus
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1Physical Properties
Magnitude
6.39
Range
5.30 - 11.80
Period
502 days
Variable Type
Mira (Long-period Pulsating)
Spectral Type
M5IIe
supergiant
Star Color
Deep ruby red
(B-V 2.04)
2Position & Identifiers
RA
14h 16m 34.2s
Dec
-59° 54' 50.0"
Constellation
Centaurus
(Cen)
HR
5326
HIP
69754
HD
124601
SAO
241580
Variable ID
R Cen
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3How easy to follow?
Magnitude
5.3 – 11.8 mag
Amplitude
6.5 mag
Period
1.4 y
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 | V. hard | Imp. | Imp. |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Medium | Hard+ | Hard |
Easy
Medium
Hard
Very hard
Impossible
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
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Best season
Mar – May
(peak: Apr)
5Survey Image
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6Light Curve
7Comparison Stars for R Cen (5.3–11.8)
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
I 1240A, M 5.3 - 11.8v, 546.2d.
Also classified M4e-M8IIe. H2O maser.
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 5606
Open cluster
Open Cluster
mag 7.7
1.4°
Centaurus
Agena
HIP 68702; Beta Centauri
Hot blue O-type star
Double Star
mag 0.61
1.7°
Centaurus
V Cen
Pulsating variable, period 5.5d
Variable Star
mag 6.93
3.7°
Centaurus
V716 Cen
Eclipsing binary, period 1.5d
Variable Star
mag 6.11
5.3°
Centaurus
AX Cir
Pulsating variable, period 5.3d
Variable Star
mag 5.87
5.8°
Circinus
NGC 5189
Planetary nebula — try an OIII filter
Planetary Nebula
mag 10.0
7.8°
Musca
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