Gliese 402

Gliese 402 is a star located 22.7 light years from the Solar System. Located in the constellation of Leo, it is also known as Wolf 358 from its entry in Max Wolf's star catalogue. The stars nearest to Gliese 402 are Gliese 393, at 3.43 light years, Gliese 408, at 6.26 light years, and Gliese 382 at 6.66 light years.[12]

Gliese 402

A visual band light curve for EE Leonis, adapted from Weis (1994)[1]
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
ConstellationLeo
Right ascension10h 50m 52.03129s[2]
Declination+06° 48′ 29.2278″[2]
Apparent magnitude (V)11.64 - 11.70[3]
Characteristics
Spectral typeM4.0V[4]
U−B color index+1.16[5]
B−V color index+1.66[5]
V−R color index+1.24[5]
R−I color index+1.57[5]
Variable typeBY Dra[3]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)-1.04[6] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −856.185[7] mas/yr
Dec.: −818.607[7] mas/yr
Parallax (π)143.5391 ± 0.0286 mas[8]
Distance22.722 ± 0.005 ly
(6.967 ± 0.001 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)12.47[5]
Details
Mass0.255 ± 0.014[9] M
Radius0.3[10] R
Surface gravity (log g)4.5[11] cgs
Temperature3100[11] K
Metallicity [Fe/H]-0.06[9] dex
Other designations
EE Leo, HIP 53020, Gliese 402, LTT 12891, LHS 294, Wolf 358
Database references
SIMBADdata
ARICNSdata

Gliese 402 is a BY Draconis variable, with its apparent magnitude varying between 11.64 and 11.70. The brightness changes are due to starspots and chromospheric activity combined with the rotation of the star. It has been given the variable star designation EE Leonis.[3]

Like the vast majority of stars in the Solar neighborhood, Gliese 402 is a dim red dwarf. With an apparent magnitude +11.66, it is far too dim to be seen with the naked eye; it can only be seen with a telescope. Its luminosity is only 0.091% that of the Sun.[12] Its spectral type is M4V (sometimes cited as M5V[citation needed]) and its effective temperature is about 3100 K. Its physical characteristics are quite similar to those of Ross 128 or Kruger 60 B, with a radius of about 30% of the Sun.[10] Its projected rotation speed is at most 2.3 km/s or less,[9] while its metallicity is slightly lower than that of the Sun.[9]

References