| |
| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Cetus |
| Right ascension | 02h44m 56.54098s[1] |
| Declination | 10° 06′ 50.9089″[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +4.27[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | A9IIIp[3] |
| Variable type | suspected δ Sct[4] |
| Astrometry | |
| Parallax (π) | 38.80 ± 0.32 mas[1] |
| Distance | 84.1 ± 0.7 ly (25.8 ± 0.2 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | +2.17[5] |
| Details | |
| Mass | 1.6[6] M☉ |
| Radius | 1.7[6] R☉ |
| Luminosity | 7.5[6] L☉ |
| Temperature | 7,141[5] K |
| Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 45.1±2.3[5] km/s |
| Age | 3.3[6] Gyr |
| Other designations | |
87 Ceti, HD 17094, HIP 12828, HR 813, SAO 110723, BD+09° 359 | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
Mu Ceti (μ Ceti) is a star in the constellation Cetus. The combined apparent magnitude of the system is +4.27, and it is located 84 light-years from the Sun.
InChinese, 天囷 (Tiān Qūn), meaning Circular Celestial Granary, refers to an asterism consisting of α Ceti, κ1 Ceti, λ Ceti, μ Ceti, ξ1 Ceti, ξ2 Ceti, ν Ceti, γ Ceti, δ Ceti, 75 Ceti, 70 Ceti, 63 Ceti and 66 Ceti. Consequently, the Chinese name for Mu Ceti itself is "the Fourth Star of Circular Celestial Granary".[7]
Mu Ceti is an A9 giant star. It has been suspected to be a δ Scuti variable,[4] but most studies find it to be of constant brightness.[8][9]
Three companions were all discovered during occultations of Mu Ceti by the Moon. An orbit was derived for the brightest with a period of 1,202 days.[6] Later studies have failed to find any evidence of these companions.[10]
