Zeta Cancri

ζ Cancri A/B/C
Location of ζ Cancri (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Cancer
Right ascension 08h 12m 12.726s
Declination +17° 38′ 51.96″
Apparent magnitude (V) +5.58/+5.99/+6.12
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage main-sequence star
Spectral type F8V + G0V + G0IV-V
Astrometry
Proper motion (μ) RA: 27.61 mas/yr
Dec.: −151.73 mas/yr
Parallax (π)39.87±0.82 mas
Distance82 ± 2 ly
(25.1 ± 0.5 pc)
Orbit
PrimaryZeta1 Cancri
NameZeta2 Cancri
Period (P)1,115 yr
Semi-major axis (a)7.7″
Eccentricity (e)0.24
Inclination (i)146°
Longitude of the node (Ω)74.2°
Details
Zeta Cancri A
Mass1.28 M
Temperature6,230 K
Zeta Cancri B
Mass1.18 M
Temperature6,230 K
Zeta Cancri Ca
Mass1.15 M
Radius1.27±0.06 R
Surface gravity (log g)4.27±0.10 cgs
Temperature6,008±80 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]+0.10 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)1.5±1.0 km/s
Zeta Cancri Cb1
Mass0.50 M
Temperature3,700 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]+0.10 dex
Zeta Cancri Cb2
Mass0.50 M
Temperature3,700 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]+0.10 dex
Other designations
ζ Cancri, 16 Cancri, BD+18°1867, GJ 9257, HIP 40167, ADS 6650, CCDM J08123+1738
Zeta1 Cancri A: Tegmen, Tegmine, ζ1 Cnc A, GC 11141 (A), HD 68257, HR 3208, SAO 97645 (A), WDS J08122+1739A
Zeta1 Cancri B: ζ1 Cnc B, GC 11141 (B), HD 68255, HR 3209, SAO 97645 (B), WDS J08122+1739B
Zeta2 Cancri: ζ2 Cnc, GC 11142, HD 68256, HR 3210, SAO 97646, WDS J08122+1739C
Database references
SIMBADdata

Zeta Cancri is a multiple star system in the constellation of Cancer. Its name is a Bayer designation that is Latinized from ζ Cancri, and abbreviated Zeta Cnc or ζ Cnc. This group is located approximately 82 light-years from Earth, and has a combined apparent magnitude of +4.67. Since it is near the ecliptic, it can be occulted by the Moon.

The system is constituted as follows:

  • A binary pair designated Zeta1 Cancri or, alternatively, Zeta Cancri AB, the two components of which are themselves designated Zeta1 Cancri A or, simply, Zeta Cancri A (formally also named Tegmine /ˈtɛɡmɪn/, the traditional name of the Zeta Cancri system) and Zeta1/Zeta Cancri B.
  • A triple star system designated Zeta2 Cancri or alternatively Zeta Cancri C, consisting of a single star primary, designated Zeta2/Zeta Cancri Ca, together with a secondary binary pair, designated Zeta2/Zeta Cancri Cb. The binary pair's two components are themselves designated Zeta2/Zeta Cancri Cb1 and Cb2.