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 Shaula (Lambda Scorpii) The second brightest star in the constellation Scorpius; its Arabic name means "the stinger." Along with Lesath and several other stars in southern Scorpius, it belongs to the huge, relatively nearby Scorpius OB1 Association. Shaula is a subgiant B star with a temperature around 25,000 K and a total luminosity that is about 35,000 that of the Sun. It is, however, a close double made of roughly similar hot stars with an orbital period of 5.9 days. There may also be a third, more distant companion, possibly a white dwarf given that Shaula is an unusually strong source of low-energy X-rays. Shaula has either stopped hydrogen fusion in its core or is close to doing so. With a mass of around 11 solar masses, it may eventually explode or more likely turn into a heavy white dwarf, possibly one with a neon-oxygen core. Like Mirzam, it is a Beta Cephei star, fluctuating by less than a tenth of a magnitude with two simultaneous periods of 0.21 and 0.11 days. Visual magnitude 1.62 Absolute magnitude -5.05 Spectral type B1IV Distance 703 light-years (214 pc) Position R.A. 17h 33m 36.5s, Dec. -37° 06' 14" Other designations 35 Sco, GC 23769, HD 158926, HIP 85927, HR 6527, SAO 208954 Related entry    • brightest stars Related category    • NOTABLE STARS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP