Gamma Centauri,Latinized from γ Centauri, is abinary star system in thesouthernconstellation ofCentaurus. It has the proper nameMuhlifain,[10] not to be confused with Muliphein, which isγ Canis Majoris; both names derive from the same Arabic root. The system is visible to the naked eye as a single point of light with a combinedapparent visual magnitude of +2.17;[2] individually they are third-magnitude stars.[3]
This system is located at a distance of about 130light-years (40parsecs) from theSun based onparallax. In 2000, the pair had an angular separation of 1.217arcseconds with aposition angle of 351.9°.[3] Their positions have been observed since 1897, which is long enough to estimate anorbital period of 84.5 years and asemimajor axis of 0.93 arcsecond.[11][8] At the distance of this system, this is equivalent to a physical separation of about93 AU.[12]
The combinedstellar classification of the pair is A1IV+;[4] when they are separated out they have individual classes of A1IV and A0IV,[5] suggesting they areA-typesubgiant stars in the process of becominggiants. The starTau Centauri is relatively close to Gamma Centauri, with an estimated separation of 1.72 light-years (0.53 parsecs).[13] There is a 98% chance that they areco-moving stars.[8]
^abcdJohnson, H. L.; et al. (1966). "UBVRIJKL photometry of the bright stars".Communications of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.4 (99): 99.Bibcode:1966CoLPL...4...99J.
^abcFabricius, C.; Makarov, V. V. (April 2000). "Two-colour photometry for 9473 components of close Hipparcos double and multiple stars".Astronomy and Astrophysics.356:141–145.Bibcode:2000A&A...356..141F.
