KQ Puppis

KQ Puppis

KQ Puppis is the bright red star on the right, with Messier 47 to its left (east) and Messier 46 even further east.
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Puppis
Right ascension 07h 33m 47.96383s
Declination −14° 31′ 26.0026″
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.97 (4.82 - 5.17)
Characteristics
KQ Pup A
Evolutionary stage Red supergiant
Spectral type M2Iab
U−B color index +0.29
B−V color index +1.41
Variable type Slow irregular variable
KQ Pup B
Evolutionary stage Main sequence
Spectral type B2V + (A/F)V
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+34.4 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: -7 mas/yr
Dec.: +4 mas/yr
Parallax (π)1.29±0.10 mas
Distance2,500 ± 200 ly
(780 ± 60 pc)
Orbit
PrimaryKQ Pup Ba
NameKQ Pup Bb
Period (P)17.2596 days
Semi-major axis (a)0.3 au
Eccentricity (e)≥0.236
Inclination (i)~90°
Orbit
PrimaryKQ Pup A
NameKQ Pup B
Period (P)9,500 days
Semi-major axis (a)24.89±1.48 au
Eccentricity (e)0.62±0.01
Inclination (i)70.3±1.2°
Longitude of the node (Ω)319.3±3.6°
Periastron epoch (T)60,310 MJD
Argument of periastron (ω)
(primary)
203.5±2.2°
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)
17.1 km/s
Details
KQ Pup A
Mass9.12+1.73
−1.53
 M
Radius491+41
−36
 R
Luminosity38,000+7,700
−4,900
 L
Temperature3,660±170 K
Age18.7–46.9 Myr
KQ Pup Ba
Mass7.5–11.5 M
Luminosity8,900 L
Temperature19,900 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)190±70 km/s
Age18.7–46.9 Myr
KQ Pup Bb
Mass4.4+3.7
−3.2
 M
Age18.7–46.9 Myr
Other designations
KQ Pup, BD−14°1971, HIP 36773, HR 2902, NGC 2422 9, SAO 153072
KQ Pup A: HD 60414
KQ Pup B: HD 60415
Database references
SIMBADdata

KQ Puppis is a triple star system in the constellation of Puppis. With an apparent magnitude varying between 4.82 and 5.17, it is faintly visible to the naked eye under skies with little to no luminous pollution. Based on dynamical parallax measurements, it is located at a distance of 2,500 light-years (770 parsecs).