/ 
/ 
Maia (star)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (December 2007) |
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Taurus |
| Right ascension | 03h 45m 49.6s |
| Declination | +24° 22′ 04″ |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 3.87 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | B8 III |
| U-B color index | -0.40 |
| B-V color index | -0.07 |
| Variable type | Suspected |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | +7.5 km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: 21.09 mas/yr Dec.: -45.03 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 9.06 ± 1.03 mas |
| Distance | 360 ly (110 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | -1.34 |
| Other designations | |
In astronomy, Maia (Flamsteed designation 20 Tauri) is the third brightest star in the Pleiades open star cluster. It is a blue giant of spectral type B8 III, and a mercury-manganese star. The visual magnitude is 3.86, requiring darker skies to be seen. It is named after Maia from Greek mythology.
Maia was thought to be a variable star by astronomer Otto Struve. A class of stars known as Maia variables was proposed, which included Gamma Ursae Minoris, but Maia and some others in the class have since been found to be stable.[1]
[edit] In fiction
This star is also featured in the children's book Mary Poppins published in 1934. In this book the star Maia arrives in England to do some Christmas shopping for the other stars in the constellation.
[edit] External links
- Maia from STARS by James Kaler, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy, University of Illinois
- NGC 1432 - Maia Nebula, High-resolution LRGB image based on 4 hrs total exposure