KAPTEYN'S STAR

                                                                  (HD 33793)

RA = 5h 11' 35.210"     m = +8.86    Red Dwarf in Pictor

DEC = -45° 00' 16.2"    μ = 8.67"/yr. 

Distance = 12.79 ± 0.43 light years

 This star is a faint inconspicuous object in the southern constellation Pictor. It is remarkable because it has the 2^nd highest proper motion known (only behind Barnard’s Star) at 8.67"/yr. Kapteyn’s star was discovered in 1897 by Professor J.C. Kapteyn from the University of Groningen by the comparison of positions from a series of  photographic glass plates taken for the construction of the Astrographic Catalogue.  At this high motion, it will move 1° across the sky in 415 years.

 Kapteyn’s star is a red dwarf, spectral type M0V, with a luminosity of only 0.003L_¤ that of the Sun, making its diameter just 173,000 miles, twice the size of Jupiter. Its proper motion combined with its high radial (line of sight) velocity of 242 km/sec translates to an actual space velocity of 291 km/sec, making it a one of the highest “high”  velocity stars known. (See article on The Runaway Stars).  

A finder chart for Kapteyn’s star is shown below.

                                          Finder chart showing position of Kapteyn’s Star

  References

 Burnhams, R, Jr., 1978, Burnhams Celestial Handbook, Dover Publications, New York., p. 1462.

 Dibon-Smith, R., The Flamsteed Collection, Clear Skies Publishing Co., Toronto, Canada, p. 210-211.