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Heze

Zeta Virginis, 79 Virginis

Proper NameHeze
Bayer DesignationZeta Virginis
Flamsteed Number79 Virginis
HR (BSC)5107
HD118098
ConstellationVirgo
Right Ascension13h 34m 42s
Declination-0° 35' 45"
Distance75 light years
23 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +3.38
Absolute: +1.60
Spectral ClassA3V white main sequence star (primary)
M4-7V red dwarf (companion, probable)
Optimum VisibilityApril / May

A hot white star in the central regions of the constellation Virgo, close to the Celestial Equator. Like the Sun, Heze is a main sequence star, but is considerably more massive, and also much younger (it formed only about 500,000 years ago, making it about a tenth of the Sun's age). Heze is some 75 light years from the Solar System, in a direction roughly 'upward' through the Galactic disc. Heze has a recently discovered companion star; this is much fainter than the white primary, and is thought to be a dim red dwarf.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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