Companion γ Del | ||
Similar Beta Delphini, Alpha Delphini, Rho Aquilae, NGC 7006, NGC 6934 | ||
Gamma delphini
Gamma Delphini (γ Del, γ Delphini) is a binary star system approximately 101 light-years away in the constellation of Delphinus. The star marks one corner of the asterism "Job's Coffin". It is one of the best known double stars in the sky, with the primary star being a yellow-white dwarf star, while the secondary star is an orange subgiant star.
Contents
- Gamma delphini
- Gamma delphini e struve 2725 due doppie in un solo colpo
- Stellar components
- A planetary system
- References
Gamma delphini e struve 2725 due doppie in un solo colpo
Stellar components
The primary star (catalogued as Gamma1 Delphini) is a yellow-white dwarf star of spectral type "F7V" and an apparent magnitude of 5.14. The star is thought to have about 7 times more luminosity than the Sun. The secondary star (Gamma2 Delphini) is an orange subgiant star of spectral type "K1IV" and an apparent magnitude of 4.27. This star is thought to have about 20.6 times more luminosity than the Sun. Nevertheless, the cooler component (Gamma2) is more massive than Gamma1 and according to the hierarchy of masses and brightness, Gamma2 should be the primary star of the system.
A planetary system?
Back in 1999 the presence of a planetary companion was inferred around Gamma2 Delphini, an evolved orange subgiant star. Such a planet would yield a minimum mass of 0.7 Jupiter masses, orbital period of 1.44 years and separation of nearly 1.5 astronomical units (almost the orbital separation of Mars from the Sun).
So far the planetary candidate has not been confirmed. McDonald Observatory researches have set mass limits for potential planetary companions in orbit around the star Gamma2 Delphini.