Sigma Octantis

Sigma Octantis is a solitary star in the Octans constellation that forms the pole star of the Southern Hemisphere. Its name is also written as σ Octantis, abbreviated as Sigma Oct or σ Oct, and it is officially named Polaris Australis (/pˈlɛərɪs ɔːˈstrlɪs/). The star is positioned one degree away from the southern celestial pole of the Southern Hemisphere, lying in nearly opposite direction to the North Star on the celestial sphere.

Sigma Octantis
Location of σ Octantis (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation Octans
Right ascension 21h 08m 46.86357s
Declination −88° 57 23.3983
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.47
Characteristics
Spectral type F0 IV
U−B color index +0.13
B−V color index +0.26
Variable type δ Sct
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+11.9 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: +26.323 mas/yr
Dec.: +4.721 mas/yr
Parallax (π)11.1005 ± 0.0616 mas
Distance294 ± 2 ly
(90.1 ± 0.5 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)0.86±0.09
Details
Mass1.59 M
Radius4.4 R
Luminosity44 L
Surface gravity (log g)3.71 cgs
Temperature7,415±252 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.5 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)145 km/s
Age912 Myr
Other designations
Polaris Australis, σ Oct, CPD−89°47, FK5 923, HD 177482, HIP 104382, HR 7228, SAO 258857
Database references
SIMBADdata

Located approximately 294 light-years from Earth, it is classified as a subgiant with a spectral type of F0 III. Sigma Octantis has an apparent magnitude of 5.5, but is slightly variable and is classified as a Delta Scuti variable.

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