Xi Columbae

Xi Columbae is a binary star system in the southern constellation of Columba. With an apparent visual magnitude of 4.97, it is faintly visible to the naked eye. To ancient Arabian astronomers, this star, along with ζ CMa, λ CMa, γ Col, δ Col, θ Col, κ Col, λ Col and μ Col, formed Al Ḳurūd (ألقرد - al-qird), the Apes. Based upon an annual parallax shift of 9.80 mas, it is located around 330 light years from the Sun.

This is an astrometric binary with an orbital period of 1,420.6 days and an eccentricity of 0.39. The primary is an evolved K-type giant star with a stellar classification of K1 III CNII. It is a member of the HR 1614 supergroup and shows an overabundance of CN. The companion has a mass of at least 59% that of the Sun.