Kappa Octantis, Latinized from κ Octantis, is a solitary[9] star in the southern circumpolar constellation Octans. It has an apparent magnitude of 5.55,[2] making it visible to the naked eye under ideal conditions. The object is located at a distance of 285 light years but is approaching the Solar System with a heliocentric radial velocity of −9 km/s.[5]
| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS) | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Octans |
| Right ascension | 13h 40m 55.4833s[1] |
| Declination | −85° 47′ 09.752″[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 5.55±0.01[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | A2 mA5-A8[3] |
| U−B color index | +0.16[4] |
| B−V color index | +0.18[4] |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | −9.0±7.4[5] km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: −88.395 mas/yr[1] Dec.: −23.285 mas/yr[1] |
| Parallax (π) | 11.4403 ± 0.0849 mas[1] |
| Distance | 285 ± 2 ly (87.4 ± 0.6 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | +0.95[6] |
| Details | |
| Mass | 2.07±0.18[7] M☉ |
| Radius | 2.75+0.13 −0.12[7] R☉ |
| Luminosity | 34.83[6] L☉ |
| Surface gravity (log g) | 3.9±0.1[7] cgs |
| Temperature | 7,943+185 −181[7] K |
| Age | 354[8] Myr |
| Other designations | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
Kappa Octanits is an Am star, making it difficult to classify. It has been given a stellar classification of A2 mA5-A8,[3] indicating that it is an A2 star with the metallic lines of an A5-A8 star. At present it has 2.07 times the mass of the Sun and 2.75 its radius.[7] It shines at a luminosity of about 35 L☉[6] from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 7,943 K,[7] giving it a white glow. Kappa Octantis is said to be around 350 million years old.[8]