Alpha Pictoris (α Pic, α Pictoris) is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Pictor. It has an apparent visual magnitude of 3.27,[ It is close enough for its distance to be measured using parallax shifts, which yields a value of roughly from the Sun, with a 5% margin of error.][ Alpha Pictoris has the distinction of being the south pole star of the planet Mercury.][
]
Properties
With an estimated age of 660 million years,[ shows this peculiarity, with the kA6 notation indicating weaker than normal in the spectrum. The 'n' following the main sequence luminosity class of V indicates the in the spectrum are broad and nebulous. This is caused by the rapid spin of the star, which has a high projected rotational velocity of 206 km/s.]
Alpha Pictoris A is larger than the Sun, with a 60% greater mass[ and a 355% greater radius.][ It is radiating 40 times as much luminosity as the Sun from its outer atmosphere at an effective temperature of .][ At this heat, the star glows with the white hue of an A-type star.][
It is also one of the brightest known Delta Scuti variables.][
]
Data from the Hipparcos mission uncovered the presence of a binary star[ Alpha Pictoris is an X-ray source, which is unusual for an A-type star since stellar models don't predict them to have magnetic dynamos. This emission may instead be originating from the companion.][
]
Notes
