Xi Cancri

ξ Cancri
Location of Nahn (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation Cancer
Right ascension 09h 09m 21.541s
Declination +22° 02′ 43.58″
Apparent magnitude (V) +5.15 (5.70 + 6.20)
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage red giant branch
Spectral type G9 III Fe-1 CH-0.5
U−B color index +0.75
B−V color index +0.96
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+7.7±0.3 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −3.147 mas/yr
Dec.: 9.159 mas/yr
Parallax (π)8.004±0.3286 mas
Distance410 ± 20 ly
(125 ± 5 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−0.12
Orbit
Period (P)1,700.76 ± 2.7 d (4.6564 ± 0.0074 yr)
Semi-major axis (a)0.0105±0.0017"
(≥ 103.0×106 km (0.689 AU))
Eccentricity (e)0.06±0.05
Periastron epoch (T)2428876.86±10.0 JD
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
301.1±38.3°
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)
4.41±0.02 km/s
Details
Mass3.40+0.11
−0.21
 M
Radius16.13+0.73
−0.66
 R
Luminosity149+12
−11
 L
Surface gravity (log g)2.62±0.07 cgs
Temperature5,025+9
−11
 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)2.1±1.0 km/s
Age271+54
−63
 Myr
Other designations
Nahn, ξ Cnc, 77 Cancri, BD+22°2061, FK5 1239, GC 12635, HD 78515, HIP 44946, HR 3627, SAO 80666, WDS J09094+2203AB
Database references
SIMBADdata

Xi Cancri is a binary star system in the zodiac constellation of Cancer. Its name is a Bayer designation that is Latinised from ξ Cancri, and abbreviated Xi Cnc or ξ Cnc. This system is faintly visible to the naked eye with a combined apparent visual magnitude of +5.15. Based upon parallax measurements, it is approximately 410 light-years distant from the Sun. At its present distance, the visual magnitude is diminished by an extinction factor of 0.135 due to interstellar dust. It is drifting further away with a line of sight velocity of +8 km/s.

The two components are designated Xi Cancri A (formally named Nahn, pronounced /ˈnɑːn/) and B. The primary component is an evolved giant star. The position of this system near the ecliptic means it is subject to lunar occultation.