M Centauri

M Centauri (M Cen) is a binary star in the constellation Centaurus. It is approximately 260 light years from Earth.

For m Centauri, see HD 116243.

M Centauri

Observation data Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation	Centaurus
Right ascension	13^h 46^m 39.378^s[1]
Declination	−51° 25′ 57.95″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V)	+4.64
Characteristics
Spectral type	G8-K0III
U−B color index	+0.72
B−V color index	+0.96
Variable type	none
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)	−6 km/s
Proper motion (μ)	RA: 10.00 ± 0.42[1] mas/yr Dec.: -27.62 ± 0.34[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)	12.42 ± 0.48[1] mas
Distance	260 ± 10 ly (81 ± 3 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)	+0.16
Orbit[2]
Primary	M Centauri A
Companion	M Centauri B
Period (P)	437 days
Semi-major axis (a)	6.45 mas
Eccentricity (e)	0.13
Inclination (i)	48.2°
Longitude of the node (Ω)	280.3°
Periastron epoch (T)	2424163.0
Argument of periastron (ω) (secondary)	58.6°
Other designations
HR 5172, HD 119834, CD−50°8017, HIP 67234, SAO 241157, GC 18607, CCDM J13467-5126
Database references
SIMBAD	data

M Centauri is a yellow G-type giant with an apparent magnitude of +4.64. It is a spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 437 days.

References

1. van Leeuwen, F. (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. Vizier catalog entry
2. Jancart, S. (2005). "Astrometric orbits of S_B⁹ stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 442 (1): 365–380. arXiv:astro-ph/0507695. Bibcode:2005A&A...442..365J. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20053003.