Wolf 424
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Wolf 424 is a binary star system comprising two red dwarf stars. The stars are located at a distance of 14.37 light-years and hence are among the nearest stars, but due to their faint intrinsic brightness, they are not visible to the naked eye. Wolf 424 is located in the constellation Virgo, between the stars ε Virginis and ο Virginis.
Description
The close binary nature of this star was discovered by Dutch American astronomer Dirk Reuyl in 1941, based upon an elongation of the star found in photographs.<ref name=aj117_1_562/> The two stars in the Wolf 424 system orbit about each other with a semi-major axis of 4.1 AU and an eccentricity of 0.3. The stars have an orbital period of 15.5 years and have a combined apparent magnitude of about 12.5.
Wolf 424A and Wolf 424B are similar-spectrum and similar-size stars, both red dwarfs with masses of Template:Solar mass and radii of Template:Solar radius, respectively.<ref name=CARMENES-IX/> In 1967, it was discovered that both are flare stars that undergo random increases in luminosity. The system has been designated FL Virginis, and may experience sunspot activity. The stars may undergo variation in the level of flare activity over periods lasting several years.<ref name=mnras368_3_1392/> Template:Clear left
References
Further reading
- W. D. Heintz, "Astrometric study of 4 binary stars", 1972, Astronomical Journal, 77, 160.
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