Magnitude 3.376 Apparent magnitude (V) 3.376 | ||
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Similar Delta Virginis, Epsilon Virginis, Beta Virginis, Eta Virginis, Gamma Virginis | ||
Zeta Virginis (ζ Vir, ζ Virginis) is a star in the zodiac constellation of Virgo. Zeta Virginis has the proper name Heze, which is of unclear origin. It is visible to the naked eye with has an apparent visual magnitude is +3.376 and is located about a half degree south of the celestial equator at a distance of 74.1 light-years (22.7 parsecs) from Earth.
ζ Virginis is a main sequence star with a spectral class A3 V, indicating that it is generating energy through the nuclear fusion of hydrogen at its core. This energy is being radiated from its outer envelope at an effective temperature of 8,247 K, giving Zeta Virginis the white hue of an A-type star. It has twice the mass and double the radius of the Sun and is about a half billion years old.
In 2010, a low mass stellar companion was discovered, ζ Virginis B. The object has not been under observation for a sufficient length of time to determine accurate orbital elements. However, the pair are estimated to be orbiting at an average separation of at least 24.9 Astronomical Units and an orbital eccentricity of 0.16 or more. Their orbital period is a minimum of 124 years. This companion may be a red dwarf star, which would explain the observed X-ray flux from this system.