Magnitude 6.69 | Constellation Boötes | |
 | ||
Similar Iota Boötis, Mu Boötis, 38 Boötis, Phi Boötis, Gamma Boötis | ||
Kappa Boötis (κ Boo, κ Boötis) is a double star in the constellation Boötes. It has the traditional name Asellus Tertius (Latin for "third donkey colt") and the Flamsteed designation 17 Boötis. The components are separated by an angular distance of 13.4, viewable in a small telescope. Kappa Boötis is approximately 155 light years from Earth.
Contents
This star, along with the other Aselli (θ Boo and ι Boo) and λ Boo, were Aulād al Dhiʼbah (أولاد الضّباع - aulād al dhiʼba), "the Whelps of the Hyenas".
In Chinese, 梗河 (Tiān Qiāng), meaning Celestial Spear, refers to an asterism consisting of κ (actually κ2) Boötis, ι Boötis and θ Boötis. Consequently, κ Boötis itself is known as 天槍一 (Tiān Qiāng yī, English: the First Star of Celestial Spear.)
κ1 Boötis
Kappa Boötis is a double star viewable in small telescope, with components separated by an angular distance of 13.4 arcseconds. The primary star, κ² Boötis, has apparent magnitude +4.54 and spectral class A8IV. HR 5329
κ2 Boötis
κ2 Boötis is classified as a Delta Scuti type variable star with a period of 1.08 hours Its brightness varies from magnitude +4.50 to +4.58. HR 5328