 Context star field of EPIC 204376071 | |
| Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS) | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Scorpius |
| Right ascension | 16 04 10.1267 |
| Declination | −22° 34′ 45.5503″ |
| Characteristics | |
| Evolutionary stage | M |
| Astrometry | |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: -11.544 mas/yr Dec.: -24.892 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 7.3908 ± 0.1944 mas |
| Distance | 440 ± 10 ly (135 ± 4 pc) |
| Details | |
| Mass | 0.161±0.028 M☉ |
| Radius | 0.631±0.042 R☉ |
| Luminosity (bolometric) | 0.0273±0.0020 L☉ |
| Temperature | 2960±75 K |
| Rotation | 1.63 days |
| Age | 10 Myr |
| Other designations | |
| UScoCTIO 48, 2MASS J16041012-2234453 | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
EPIC 204376071 is an M-type star in the constellation of Scorpius. Parallax measurements by the Gaia space observatory put the star at a distance of about 440 light-years (130 parsecs) from Earth. It is likely a member of the Upper Sco association, and is young enough that it has not yet become a main-sequence star.
Unusual light fluctuations of the star, including up to an 80% dimming in brightness (i.e., "single 80% deep occultation of 1-day duration"), were observed by astronomers. The unusual dimming was not only extremely deep, but also substantially asymmetric, with an egress about twice as long as the ingress. Nonetheless, such an unusual dimming for EPIC 204376071 is much greater than the 22% dimming observed for Tabby's star. Several explanations have been presented to explain the unusual dimming of the EPIC 204376071 star: one, orbiting dust or small particles; or two, a "transient accretion event of dusty material near the corotation radius of the star". The unusual light curve of the star is similar to the light curve of a candidate exoplanet, KIC 10403228 b, which may have been caused by a "tilted ring system" orbiting the planet. In the case of EPIC 204376071, an orbiting brown dwarf or large planet, with a ring system, could cause a similar light curve, according to the researchers.
See also
References
- ^ Staff (2019). "EPIC 204376071 -- Star in Association". SIMBAD. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ Rappaport, S.; et al. (22 February 2019). "Deep Long Asymmetric Occultation in EPIC 204376071" (PDF). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 485 (2): 2681–2693. arXiv:1902.08152. Bibcode:2019MNRAS.485.2681R. doi:10.1093/mnras/stz537. S2CID 119470865. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ Rappaport, S.; et al. (22 February 2019). "Deep Long Asymmetric Occultation in EPIC 204376071". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 485 (2): 2681–2693. arXiv:1902.08152. Bibcode:2019MNRAS.485.2681R. doi:10.1093/mnras/stz537. S2CID 119470865.
- ^ Nowakowski, Tomasz (5 March 2019). "Astronomers detect deep, long asymmetric occultation in a newly found low-mass star". Phys.org. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ Starr, Michelle (6 March 2019). "Astronomers Have Discovered Another Mysterious Dimming Star, And It's Even More Epic". ScienceAlert.com. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- Carpineti, Alfredo (6 March 2019). "We've Just Found Another Mysteriously Dimming Star In The Galaxy". IFLScience.com. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- Valdez, Rubi (8 March 2019). "Another Dimming EPIC Star Is Likely An Alien Planet, Astronomers Say". Tech Times. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
External links
- EPIC Catalog at MAST
- Video (00:13) – EPIC 204376071 on YouTube, up to 80% dimming.
| 2019 in space | ||
|---|---|---|
| Space probe launches  |
|    |
| Impact events |
| |
| Selected NEOs | ||
| Exoplanets |
| |
| Discoveries |
| |
| Comets | ||
| Space exploration |
| |
