V399 Carinae has long been suspected to be variable.[18] A 1981 study of yellow supergiants fit observations to a Cepheid-like light curve with a period of 58.8 days, although the luminosity and spectral type do not place the star near the Cepheidinstability strip.[15] It was listed in theGeneral Catalogue of Variable Stars as a possibleδ Cep variable.[19] Further observations refined the period to 47.25 days.[6] TheHipparcos catalogue classified V399 Car as asemiregular variable with a period of 88 days and a mean amplitude of only 0.04 magnitudes.[20] An automated classification from Hipparos photometry suggested it is anα Cygni variable.[21] The observed brightness varies from magnitude +4.63 to +4.72.[2]
V399 Carinae lies amongst the stars of theopen cluster IC 2581, by far the brightest member of the cluster. It is about 7,500 light years fromEarth assuming it is a member of IC 2581, which is given a 62.9% probability.[22] Itsangular diameter has been estimated at0.954±0.09 milliarcseconds,[23] which, at the estimated distance of 2009parsecs,[1] gives it a radius 206 times thesolar radius.[8]
^abcWatson, C. L. (2006). "The International Variable Star Index (VSX)".The Society for Astronomical Sciences 25th Annual Symposium on Telescope Science. Held May 23–25.25: 47.Bibcode:2006SASS...25...47W.
^abSchild, R. E.; Garrison, R. F.; Hiltner, W. A. (1983). "UBV photometry for southern OB stars".Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series.51: 321.Bibcode:1983ApJS...51..321S.doi:10.1086/190852.
^abcBerdnikov, L. N.; Turner, D. G. (1997). "Photoelectric VIc and New Elements for V399 Carinae = HR 4110".Information Bulletin on Variable Stars.4456: 1.Bibcode:1997IBVS.4456....1B.
^Rest, A.; Prieto, J. L.; Walborn, N. R.; Smith, N.; Bianco, F. B.; Chornock, R.; Welch, D. L.; Howell, D. A.; Huber, M. E.; Foley, R. J.; Fong, W.; Sinnott, B.; Bond, H. E.; Smith, R. C.; Toledo, I.; Minniti, D.; Mandel, K. (2012). "Light echoes reveal an unexpectedly cool η Carinae during its nineteenth-century Great Eruption".Nature.482 (7385):375–8.arXiv:1112.2210.Bibcode:2012Natur.482..375R.doi:10.1038/nature10775.PMID22337057.S2CID205227548.
^Luck, R. Earle (1994). "Open cluster chemical composition. 1: Later type stars in eight clusters".Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series.91: 309.Bibcode:1994ApJS...91..309L.doi:10.1086/191940.
^Kostjuk, N. D. (2004). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: HD-DM-GC-HR-HIP-Bayer-Flamsteed Cross Index (Kostjuk, 2002)".VizieR On-line Data Catalog: IV/27A. Originally Published in: Institute of Astronomy of Russian Academy of Sciences (2002).4027.Bibcode:2004yCat.4027....0K.
^Kholopov, P. N.; Samus, N. N.; Kazarovets, E. V.; Perova, N. B. (1985). "The 67th Name-List of Variable Stars".Information Bulletin on Variable Stars.2681: 1.Bibcode:1985IBVS.2681....1K.
^Perryman, M. A. C.; Lindegren, L.; Kovalevsky, J.; Hoeg, E.; Bastian, U.; Bernacca, P. L.; Crézé, M.; Donati, F.; Grenon, M.; Grewing, M.; Van Leeuwen, F.; Van Der Marel, H.; Mignard, F.; Murray, C. A.; Le Poole, R. S.; Schrijver, H.; Turon, C.; Arenou, F.; Froeschlé, M.; Petersen, C. S. (1997). "The HIPPARCOS Catalogue".Astronomy and Astrophysics.323: L49.Bibcode:1997A&A...323L..49P.