Hind's Crimson Star
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| Missing image R_Leporis.png Image:R Leporis.png | |
| Observation data | |
| Variable star, type Mira (long-period) | C7,6e(N6e) |
| Right ascension (RA, α) (2000.0) | 04 h 59.6 m |
| Declination (Dec, δ) (2000.0) | -14° 48' |
| Distance from Earth | 1500? LY |
| Visual brightness (V) | +5.5m to +11.7m |
| Absolute magnitude | |
| Physical characteristics | Mean Diameter (dS = 1,392,000 km) |
| Surface area | |
| Volume | |
| Mass | |
| Relative mass to the Sun (mS = 1.9891 × 1030 kg) | |
| Density | |
| Surface gravity | |
| Spectral type | M |
| Surface temperature | |
| Age | |
| Color (B-V) | +5.5 |
| V-I | |
| Luminosity (LS = 3.827 × 1026 J s-1) | |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Period of rotation | |
| Period | |
Hind's Crimson Star, also known as R Leporis, is a well-known variable star, in the constellation Lepus, near the border with Eridanus. It is a carbon star - the carbon is thought to block out the blue light of the star, making it appear red. It is named after famous British astronomer J.R. Hind, who observed it in 1845. Its magnitude varies from 5.5 to 11.7 with a major period of 427 - 432 days, although it may also have other periodic components.
Hind's Crimson Star has often been reported as displaying an intense smoky red color, although this perception is not pronounced when the star is near its maximum brightness. It will be reddest when it is dimmest; it has been said that it is at its reddest only one month in every 14.5 months. At that time, it is a candidate for the reddest star which is easily observable, but this is a disputed assertion.
External links
- Best of the Advanced Observation Program: R Leporis (http://www.noao.edu/outreach/aop/observers/rleporis.html)
- USA Today.com - NightSky: The Hare and the Dove (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-01-30-nightsky_x.htm)
- Smoky Mountain Astronomical Society - Hind's Crimson Star: R Leporis (http://www.smokymtnastro.org/scraps/2004/Jan2004.pdf)