NOTABLE STARS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Mu Arae A relatively nearby, Sun-like star in the constellation Ara around which three planets have been discovered. One of these, the discovery of which was announced on Aug. 25, 2004, is only about 14 times the mass of Earth, or about one-third the mass of Uranus. However, it is so close to the central star that its surface temperature is expected to be over 1,100°C. Mu Arae is believed to be somewhat older than the Sun and moving into the subgiant phase of its evolution. Its metallicity is greater than that of the Sun. Host star Distance 49.8 ± 0.6 light-years (15.3 ± 0.2 pc) Spectral type G3 IV-V Apparent magnitude 5.12 Mass 1.08 Luminosity 1.7 Radius 1.32 Position R.A. 17h 44m 08.7s, Dec. -51° 50' 03" Other catalog designations HR 6585, HD 160691, Gl 691, HIP 86796, SAO 244981 Planets   d b c Mass >0.044 MJupiter (14 MEarth) >1.67 ± 0.1 MJupiter >3.1 ± 0.71 MJupiter Semi-major axis 0.09 AU (13.5 million km, 8.4 million miles) 1.5 ± 0.02 AU (224 million km, 93 million miles) 4.7 AU (702 million km, 291 million miles) Orbital period 9.55 ± 0.03 days 654.5 days (1.8 years) 2986 ± 30 days (8.2 years) Eccentricity 0.0 0.31 0.57 ± 0.1 Discovery 2004, Santos, Bouchy et al 2002, Marcy, Butler et al 2002, Marcy, Butler et al Method radial velocity radial velocity radial velocity Related categories    • NOTABLE STARS    • EXTRASOLAR PLANETS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP