Constellation Piscis Austrinus | Apparent magnitude (V) 4.46 | |
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Similar Lacaille 9352, Fomalhaut b, Alpha Gruis, Fomalhaut | ||
Gamma Piscis Austrini (Gamma PsA, γ Piscis Austrini, γ PsA) is multiple star system in constellation of Piscis Austrinus, with an apparent magnitude of +4.46. The primary component is a white A-type giant. It is approximately 222 light years from Earth. With a temperature estimated at 10,600 Kelvin, the star shines with a rather decent luminosity of 81 times that of the Sun.
Gamma Piscis Austrini is moving through the Galaxy at a speed of 24.1 km/s relative to the Sun. Its projected Galactic orbit carries it between 21,600 and 30,800 light years from the center of the Galaxy.
Gamma Piscis Austrini came closest to the Sun 1.8 million years ago when it had brightened to magnitude 3.78 from a distance of 157 light years.
Naming
In Chinese, 敗臼 (Bài Jiù), meaning Decayed Mortar, refers to an asterism consisting of refers to an asterism consisting of γ Piscis Austrini, γ Gruis, λ Gruis and 19 Piscis Austrini. Consequently, γ Piscis Austrini itself is known as 敗臼三 (Bài Jiù sān, English: the Third Star of Decayed Mortar.)