ANTARES - SCI & TECH
News: Indian Institute of
Astrophysics releases video of moon occulting Antares
What's in the news?
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The Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of
Astrophysics (IIA) has filmed the passing of the moon in front of Antares, a
bright red star.
Antares:
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Antares, also known as Alpha Scorpii, is the alpha, or brightest, star in the constellation
Scorpius, and the 15th-brightest star in the whole night sky.
Features:
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It is a massive
red supergiant star.
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It is 10,000
times brighter than our sun.
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It is one of the largest known stars, 700 times the
sun's diameter, large enough to engulf the orbit of Mars if the solar system
were centered on it.
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It lies about 600
light-years from the Earth.
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Despite its size, the overall density of Antares is
less than one-millionth that of the sun.
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Antares is also relatively cool as stars go. Its surface temperature is about
6,100°F (3,400°C) and in contrast to our sun’s surface temperature of about
10,000°F (5,500°C).
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The star's low temperature accounts for its ruddy
color.
Go back to basics:
Red Supergiant Star:
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They are very large stars that are approaching the later stages of their stellar life.
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They have a radius that is several hundred to 1500
times that of the Sun.
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Though they are great in size, the red color
indicates that stars of this type have a relatively low surface temperature.
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They are highly
luminous.
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Most red supergiants are variable stars. This
means, their degree of brightness changes and fluctuates as seen on Earth.
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These stars are also actively losing mass. Nebulae have been seen around them as they
expel material.