Today we want to talk about Gliese 268. It is a topic that has captured the attention of many people in recent years, and Gliese 268 covers a wide range of aspects ranging from history to the present. In this article we are going to explore the different aspects related to Gliese 268, from its origins to its impact on modern society. We will delve into its roots, analyze its evolution over time and examine its relevance today. Gliese 268 is a topic that undoubtedly generates great interest and debate, so we hope to provide a clear and complete vision of it.
![]() A blue light light curve of a flare on Gliese 269. The intensity scale is relative to the star's quiescent brightness. Adapted from Pettersen (1975)[1] | |
Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
---|---|
Constellation | Auriga |
Right ascension | 07h 10m 01.83458s[2] |
Declination | 38° 31′ 46.0672″[2] |
Characteristics | |
Spectral type | M5Ve + M5Ve[3] |
U−B color index | +1.18[4] |
B−V color index | +1.71[4] |
Variable type | RS CVn |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | 41.792 ± 0.025[5] km/s |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: -437.44[2] mas/yr Dec.: -947.44[2] mas/yr |
Parallax (π) | 165.2147±0.0636 mas[6] |
Distance | 19.741 ± 0.008 ly (6.053 ± 0.002 pc) |
Orbit[5] | |
Period (P) | 10.42672 ± 0.00006 d |
Semi-major axis (a) | 0.1110 ± 0.0005″ |
Eccentricity (e) | 0.3203 ± 0.0009 |
Inclination (i) | 100.39 ± 0.03° |
Longitude of the node (Ω) | 89.98 ± 0.07° |
Argument of periastron (ω) (secondary) | 211.98 ± 0.19° |
Semi-amplitude (K1) (primary) | 34.814 ± 0.036 km/s |
Semi-amplitude (K2) (secondary) | 40.874 ± 0.052 km/s |
Details[5] | |
Gliese 268 A | |
Mass | 0.22599(65) M☉ |
Gliese 268 B | |
Mass | 0.19248(56) M☉ |
Other designations | |
QY Aur, GJ 268, HIP 34603, G 87-26, G 07-51, LFT 512, LHS 226, LTT 11987, Ross 986, TYC 2944-1956-1[3] | |
Database references | |
SIMBAD | data |
ARICNS | data |
Location of Gliese 268 in the constellation Auriga |
Gliese 268 (QY Aurigae) is a RS Canum Venaticorum variable (RS CVn) star in the Auriga constellation. RS CVn variables are binary star systems with a strong magnetic field influenced by each star's rotation, which is accelerated by the tidal effects of the other star in the system.[7] Gliese 268 in particular is composed of a binary system of two M-type dwarfs, or red dwarfs, and is one of the one hundred closest star systems to the Earth. The primary component of the system has an apparent magnitude of 12.05, and the secondary component an apparent magnitude of 12.45.[citation needed] Neither is visible to the naked eye from Earth.[8]
In 1975, Bjørn Ragnvald Pettersen discovered that Gliese 268 is a flare star.[1] It received its variable star designation, QY Aurigae, in 1977.[9]