Achernar facts for kids
Achernar is a very bright star. It is the main star in a two-star system called Alpha Eridani (α Eridani). This means it has a companion star orbiting it.
Achernar is one of the ten brightest stars we can see in the night sky. It is also the hottest and bluest of these bright stars. This is because Achernar is a special type of star called a B-type star.
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What Makes Achernar Special?
A Fast-Spinning Star
Achernar spins incredibly fast. Imagine a basketball spinning so quickly that it starts to flatten out. That's what happens to Achernar! Because of its rapid spin, it isn't perfectly round like most stars. Instead, it's squashed at its poles and bulges at its middle. Scientists call this shape an "oblate spheroid."
Achernar's Color and Heat
Achernar shines with a bright blue light. This blue color tells us that it is a very hot star. Stars get their color from their temperature. Blue stars are the hottest, while red stars are cooler.
Achernar's Companion Star
Achernar is not alone in space. It has a smaller companion star. This second star is an A-type star, which is also hot but not as hot as Achernar. The companion star orbits Achernar from a distance of about 12 astronomical units (AU). An astronomical unit is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun. So, 12 AU is 12 times that distance!
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See also
In Spanish: Achernar para niños
