Amercury-manganese star (alsoHgMn star) is a type ofchemically peculiarstar with a prominentspectral line at 398.4nm, due to absorption from ionizedmercury.[1] These stars are ofspectral type B8, B9, or A0, corresponding to surface temperatures between about 10,000 and 15,000 K, with two distinctive characteristics:
Their rotation is relatively slow, and as a consequence theiratmosphere is relatively calm. It is thought, but has not been proven, that some types ofatoms sink under the force ofgravity, while others are lifted towards the exterior of the star byradiation pressure, making a heterogeneous atmosphere.[2]
The following table includes the brightest stars in this group.
Name[3] | Bayer orFlamsteed designation | Spectral type[3] | Apparent visual magnitude[3] |
---|---|---|---|
Alpheratz | α Andromedae | B8IVmnp | 2.06 |
Gienah Corvi | γ Corvi A | B8III | 2.59 |
Maia | 20 Tauri | B8III | 3.87 |
χ Lupi | B9IV | 3.96 | |
Muliphein[4] | γ Canis Majoris | B8II | 4.10 |
φ Herculis[5] | B9mnp | 4.23 | |
π1 Bootis | B9p | 4.91 | |
HIP 79098[6] | B9IVn | 5.88 | |
ι Coronae Borealis | A0p | 4.98 | |
κ Cancri A | B8IIImnp | 5.24 | |
14 Sagittae[5] | B9p | 5.89 | |
Dabih Minor[7] | β Capricorni B | B9.5III/IV | 6.10 |
HD 30963 | B9 III | 7.23 | |
Nath | β Tauri | B7III | 1.65 |
λ1 Sculptoris A[8] | B9.5V | 6.61 | |
53 Aurigae A | B9 Mn | 5.74 |