Xi Cygni Explained

ξ Cygni (Latinised as Xi Cygni) is a spectroscopic binary star in the constellation Cygnus, made up of a K-type supergiant star (primary) and an A-type star (secondary). Its apparent magnitude is 3.73, making it readily visible to the naked eye, and it is located around 350pc away.

Characteristics

The system contains two stars which orbit every 18 years in a mildly eccentric orbit. The primary star is a supergiant with a spectral type of around K4, while the secondary is an A-type main-sequence star with a spectral type of A1.5. Stellar winds from the supergiant have been measured at around 50 km/s, but with variations in speed and individual line strengths.

The distance to Xi Cygni is of about 350pc, based on parallax measurements. At this distance, the apparent magnitude is diminished by 0.16 magnitudes.

ξ Cygni is in the Kepler spacecraft's field of view but no planets have been detected.[1]

Notes and References

  1. 2013MNRAS.434.1422M. Atmospheric parameters of 169 F-, G-, K- and M-type stars in the Kepler field. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 434. 2. 1422. Molenda-Żakowicz. J.. Sousa. S. G.. Frasca. A.. Uytterhoeven. K.. Briquet. M.. Van Winckel. H.. Drobek. D.. Niemczura. E.. Lampens. P.. Lykke. J.. Bloemen. S.. Gameiro. J. F.. Jean. C.. Volpi. D.. Gorlova. N.. Mortier. A.. Tsantaki. M.. Raskin. G.. 2013. 10.1093/mnras/stt1095. free . 1306.6011 . 59269553.