RS Persei facts for kids
RS Persei is a huge, bright star known as a red supergiant. It is also a variable star, which means its brightness changes over time. You can find RS Persei in a group of stars called the Double Cluster, located in the Perseus constellation.
 RS Persei is the red star closest to the centre of NGC 884, the right hand cluster (north is down). |
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| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Perseus |
| Right ascension | 2h 22m 24.288s |
| Declination | +57° 0.6′ 34.08″ |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 7.82-10.0 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | M4Iab |
| Variable type | SRc |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | −38.0±2 km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: −0.371±0.137 mas/yr Dec.: −0.931±0.165 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 0.6437 ± 0.0822 mas |
| Distance | 2,345±55 pc |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | −6.18 |
| Details | |
| Mass | 12-15 M☉ |
| Radius | 770±30 R☉ |
| Luminosity | 77,600+9,500 −8,400 L☉ |
| Surface gravity (log g) | −0.2±0.05 cgs |
| Temperature | 3,470±90 K |
| Other designations | |
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RS Per, HD 14488, BD +56°583, 2MASS J02222428+5706340, AAVSO 0215+56A
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| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
Contents
What is RS Persei?
RS Persei is a type of star called a red supergiant. These stars are among the largest and brightest in the universe. They are much bigger than our Sun. RS Persei is also a variable star, meaning its brightness changes over time.
Where is RS Persei Located?
This giant star is found in a famous part of the sky called the Double Cluster. This cluster is made up of two groups of stars that are close together. You can see them in the Perseus constellation. The Perseus constellation is named after a hero from Greek mythology.
How Big and Bright is RS Persei?
RS Persei is truly enormous! Its radius is about 770 times larger than the Sun's radius. Imagine how big that is! It is also incredibly bright, shining with the power of about 77,600 Suns. Its surface temperature is around 3,470 degrees Celsius.
Why Does Its Brightness Change?
As a variable star, RS Persei's brightness goes up and down. It is a type of variable star called a semiregular variable. This means its changes in brightness are somewhat predictable but not perfectly regular. These changes happen because the star's outer layers expand and shrink.
See also
In Spanish: RS Persei para niños
