Beta Comae Berenices

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Beta Comae Berenices
Observational Data
Designation β Comae Berenices
HIP 64394
Right ascension 13h 11m 52.3938s[1][2]
Declination +27° 52′ 41.4536″[1][2]
Constellation Coma Berenices
Type of object Main sequence star
Magnitude Apperent Mag: +4.23[3]
Absolute Mag: +4.42[3]
Distance from Earth 29.78 ly[4]
Radial velocity 5.46±0.09 km/s[1][5]
Proper motion RA: -801.44 mas/yr[1][2]
Dec.: 882.04 mas/yr[1][2]
Parallax 109.54±0.17 mas[1][2]

Beta Comae Berenices (β Comae Berenices) is a main sequence star in the constellation of Coma Berenices.[6] Its Bayer designation of Beta is slightly unusual since it is brighter than the Alpha star; the Alpha star should be the brightest star in the constellation.[7] It is also unusual in that it is one of the few stars that can be seen with the unaided eye that are similar in luminosity to the Sun.[6]

Properties and Structure

The star is situated 29.78 light years away and is though to be a little larger than the Sun, with a mass of 1.05 solar masses and a radius 1.13 times larger.[3][4][7] [8] Its surface temperature is marginally hotter than the Sun's at 6,006 K but its larger size means it outputs roughly 51% more energy than Sol.[3] Beta Comae rotates about twice as fast as Sol. Because of the faster rotation and up-and-down convection in its outer gas layers, the star is probably also more magnetically active than the Sun. It has a long-term activity cycle of 16.6 years (roughly six years longer than Sun's), and might have a secondary cycle of 9.6 years.[7] Analysis of the star's spectrum suggests it has a Sun-like magnetic field and possess starspots and flares.[6] The star is believed to have 1.05 to 2.29 more heavy elements like iron than the Sun.[9]

It is thought that Beta Comae Berenices is part of a multi-star system where two or more stars orbit each other closely.[3] There is thought to be only one additional, much dimmer, star with an apparent magnitude of +10.1 compared to Beta Comae Berenices' +4.3. No planets have been observed around Beta Comae Berenices.[4]


  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Beta Comae Berenices. Simbad Astronomical Database. Retrieved on 2019-11-21.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 van Leeuwen, F. (2007). "Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction". Astronomy & Astrophysics 474 (2): 653-664. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078357. Bibcode2007A&A...474..653V.  arXiv:0708.1752
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Beta Comae Berenices (43 Comae Berenices). Retrieved on 2019-11-21.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Coma Berenices Constellation. Retrieved on 2019-11-21.
  5. Nidever, D.; Marcy, G.; Butler, R. et al. (2002). "Radial Velocities for 889 Late-Type Stars". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series 141 (2): 503-522. doi:10.1086/340570. Bibcode2002ApJS..141..503N.  arXiv:astro-ph/0112477
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Jim Kaler (2015-06-16). Beta Comae Berenices. Stars. Retrieved on 2019-11-21.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Beta Comae Berenices. Retrieved on 2019-11-21.
  8. Pasinetti Fracassini, L. E.; Pastori, L.; Covino, S. et al. (2001). "Catalogue of Apparent Diameters and Absolute Radii of Stars (CADARS) - Third edition - Comments and statistics". Astronomy and Astrophysics 367: 521-524. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20000451. Bibcode2001A&A...367..521P.  arXiv:astro-ph/0012289
  9. Cayrel de Strobel, G.; Hauck, B.; Francois, P. et al. (1992). "A catalogue of [Fe/H] determinations: 1991 edition.". Astronomy and Astrophysics, Suppl. Ser 95: 273-336. Bibcode1992A&AS...95..273C.