Alpha Pyxidis,
Latinised from α Pyxidis, is a
giant star
A giant star is a star with substantially larger radius and luminosity than a main-sequence (or ''dwarf'') star of the same surface temperature.Giant star, entry in ''Astronomy Encyclopedia'', ed. Patrick Moore, New York: Oxford University Press ...
in the
constellation Pyxis
Pyxis is a small and faint constellation in the southern sky. Abbreviated from Pyxis Nautica, its name is Latin for a mariner's compass (contrasting with Circinus, which represents a draftsman's compasses). Pyxis was introduced by Nicolas-Louis ...
. It has a
stellar classification
In astronomy, stellar classification is the classification of stars based on their spectral characteristics. Electromagnetic radiation from the star is analyzed by splitting it with a prism or diffraction grating into a spectrum exhibiting t ...
of B1.5III and is a
Beta Cephei variable Beta Cephei variables, also known as Beta Canis Majoris stars, are variable stars that exhibit small rapid variations in their brightness due to pulsations of the stars' surfaces, thought due to the unusual properties of iron at temperatures of 200, ...
. This star has more than ten times the
mass of the Sun
The solar mass () is a standard unit of mass in astronomy, equal to approximately . It is often used to indicate the masses of other stars, as well as stellar clusters, nebulae, galaxies and black holes. It is approximately equal to the mass of ...
and is more than six times the
Sun's radius. The surface temperature is and the star is about 10,000 times as
luminous as the Sun.
Stars such as this with more than 10 solar masses are expected to end their life by exploding as a
supernova.
[
]
Naming
In Chinese, (), meaning '' Celestial Dog'', refers to an asterism consisting of α Pyxidis, e Velorum, f Velorum, β Pyxidis, γ Pyxidis and δ Pyxidis. Consequently, α Pyxidis itself is known as (, en, the Fifth Star of Celestial Dog).AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 7 月 17 日
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References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Alpha Pyxidis
B-type giants
Beta Cephei variables
Pyxis (constellation)
Pyxidis, Alpha
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