42 Herculis
42 Herculis
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42 Herculis
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2020-Apr-18
Exposures: RGB 44/44/44 x 2m = 4h 24m
Processing: SGP,MaximDL,Gimp
Telescope: CFF132,STF-8300M,GM1000
Guider: LE80,LSX2,GSO2X
42 Herculis is a red giant located in the constellation of Hercules.
42 Herculis (42 Her) is the brighter orange star in the center of the image. 42 Herculis is listed in SIMBAD as being a high proper motion star and it is magnitude 4.90 in the visual band. The spectral type is M2.5III.

The smaller, less bright orange star to the lower right of 42 Her is V906 Herculis, a long period variable star. Like 42 Herculis, V906 Herculis is also an M type star. The spectral class of V906 is M4III and it's visual magnitude is rather faint at 6.62. Most people would need a telescope to be able to view these stars.

This is a chance grouping of a pair of two similarily colored orange stars. Both are solitary stars so this is not a true double, just a pair that happen to be close in line with us. Even the small white star right directly next to 42 Herculis is a chance alignment.

Not seen but still within in this image is the x-ray source 1RXS J163843.5+485537. This is an unknown source of x-ray emissions that are thought to be coming from a companion object orbiting very close to 42 Herculis. So, maybe 42 Herculis is a genuine double star after all.

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