Beta Reticuli (Beta Ret, β Reticuli, β Ret) is binary star
[ system in southern constellation of Reticulum (constellation), Reticulum. It is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of +3.84.][ Based upon an annual stellar parallax, parallax shift of 33.49 milliarcsecond, mas,][ it is located some 97 light years from the Sun.
This is a single-lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 5.25 years and an orbital eccentricity, eccentricity of 0.33. The primary, component A, is an stellar evolution, evolved K-type star, K-type giant star with a stellar classification of K0 IVSB:. It is between 5 and 6 billion years old, with 1.2 times the solar mass, mass of the Sun and 9.3 times the solar radius, Sun's radius. The companion, component B, is most likely a red dwarf with a classification in the range M0–M4.][
During the mid-20th century, the Dutch-American astronomer Willem Jacob Luyten proposed that the G3V star HD 24293 formed a third component of this system, based upon similar proper motions. However, this was subsequently ruled out based on more accurate measurements, since their actual distances, radial velocities, and proper motions do not match.][Beta Reticuli (HIP 17440)]
Beta Reticuli came closest to the Sun 319,000 years ago when it had brightened to magnitude 2.98 from a distance of 67 light years.[
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Naming
In Chinese language, Chinese caused by adaptation of the European southern hemisphere constellations into the Chinese system, (), meaning ''Chinese constellations#The Southern Asterisms, Snake's Head'', refers to an asterism consisting of β Reticuli and Alpha Hydri, α Hydri. Consequently, β Reticuli itself is known as (, en, the Second Star of Snake's Head.)AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 7 月 27 日
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References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beta Reticuli
K-type giants
M-type main-sequence stars
Spectroscopic binaries
Bayer objects, Reticuli, Beta
Reticulum (constellation)
Henry Draper Catalogue objects, 023817
Hipparcos objects, 017440
Bright Star Catalogue objects, 1175
Durchmusterung objects