E Centauri is a single[7] star in the southern constellation of Centaurus. It is a white-hued star that is dimly visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of +5.34.[2] The distance to this object is approximately 560 light years based on parallax, and it has an absolute magnitude of −0.97.[2] It is drifting closer to the Sun with a radial velocity of +7 km/s,[2] and it is a candidate member of the Lower Centaurus Crux subgroup of the Sco OB2 association.[8]
| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Centaurus |
| Right ascension | 12h 08m 14.70518s[1] |
| Declination | −48° 41′ 33.0323″[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +5.34[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | B9.5/A0V[3] |
| B−V color index | −0.010±0.007[2] |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | +7.2±0.5[2] km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: −27.271[1] mas/yr Dec.: −7.342[1] mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 5.8040 ± 0.2042 mas[1] |
| Distance | 560 ± 20 ly (172 ± 6 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | −0.97[2] |
| Details | |
| Mass | 3.38±0.09[4] M☉ |
| Radius | 5.835[5] R☉ |
| Luminosity | 302+39 −35[4] L☉ |
| Surface gravity (log g) | 3.16[5] cgs |
| Temperature | 9,886±69[4] K |
| Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 74[4] km/s |
| Other designations | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
This is a late B- or early A-type main-sequence star with a stellar classification of B9.5/A0V,[3] which indicates it is generating energy via core hydrogen fusion. It has 3.4[4] times the mass of the Sun and is spinning with a projected rotational velocity of 74 km/s.[4] The star is radiating 302[4] times the luminosity of the Sun from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 9,886 K.[4]