Alpha Cephei

α Cephei
Location of α Cephei (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Cepheus
Right ascension 21h 18m 34.7723s
Declination +62° 35′ 08.069″
Apparent magnitude (V) 2.46
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage Subgiant
Spectral type A8Vn or A7IV-V
U−B color index +0.12
B−V color index +0.21
Variable type suspected δ Sct
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−15.8±1.1 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: +150.55 mas/yr
Dec.: 49.09 mas/yr
Parallax (π)66.50±0.11 mas
Distance49.05 ± 0.08 ly
(15.04 ± 0.02 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)1.57
Details
Mass1.92±0.04 M
Radius2.162±0.036 (polar)
2.740±0.044 (equator) R
Luminosity18.1±1.8 L
Temperature8,558±300 (polar)
6,574±200 (equator) K
Metallicity [Fe/H]+0.09 dex
Rotation12.11±0.26 hours
Rotational velocity (v sin i)283±19 km/s
Age990±70 Myr
Other designations
Alderamin, α Cep, 5 Cep, AG+62°1226, BD+61°2111, FK5 803, GJ 826, HD 203280, HIP 105199, HR 8162, SAO 19302, CCDM J21186+6236A, 2MASS J21183475+6235081
Database references
SIMBADdata

Alpha Cephei is a second magnitude star in the northern constellation of Cepheus. It has the official name Alderamin, pronounced /ælˈdɛrəmɪn/; Alpha Cephei is its Bayer designation, which is Latinized from α Cephei and abbreviated Alpha Cep or α Cep. The star is relatively close to Earth at 49 light years (ly) and drifting closer with a heliocentric radial velocity of about −16 km/s.