# V553 Centauri

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Star in the constellation Centaurus

V553 Centauri Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 Constellation Centaurus[1] Right ascension 14h 46m 33.636s[2] Declination −32° 10′ 15.27″[2] Apparent magnitude (V) 8.22 to 8.80[3] Characteristics Spectral type G5p I–III[4] B−V color index 0.600±0.020[1] Variable type BL Her[3] Astrometry Radial velocity (Rv) −4.95±3.95[2] km/s Proper motion (μ) RA: 4.145 mas/yr[2] Dec.: −1.914 mas/yr[2] Parallax (π) 1.7286±0.0224 mas[2] Distance 1,890 ± 20 ly (579 ± 7 pc) Details Mass 0.49[5] M☉ Radius 9.9[5] R☉ Surface gravity (log g) 2.2[6] cgs Temperature 6,060[6] K Metallicity [Fe/H] 0.01[6] dex Other designations V553 Cen, CD−31° 11449, HD 129981, HIP 72257, SAO 205930, PPM 293050[7] Database references SIMBAD data

**V553 Centauri** is a [variable star](/source/Variable_star) in the southern [constellation](/source/Constellation) of [Centaurus](/source/Centaurus), abbreviated V553 Cen. It ranges in brightness from an [apparent visual magnitude](/source/Apparent_visual_magnitude) of 8.22 down to 8.80 with a period of 2.06 days.[3] At that magnitude, it is too dim to be visible to the [naked eye](/source/Naked_eye). Based on [parallax](/source/Stellar_parallax) measurements,[2] it is located at a distance of approximately 1,890 [light years](/source/Light_year) from the [Sun](/source/Sun).

## Observations

A light curve for V553 Centauri, plotted from *[TESS](/source/Transiting_Exoplanet_Survey_Satellite)* data[8]

The variability of this star was announced in 1936 by [C. Hoffmeister](/source/Cuno_Hoffmeister).[9] In 1957, he determined it to be a [Delta Cepheid variable](/source/Classical_Cepheid_variable) with a magnitude range of 8.3 to 8.6 and a periodicity of 2.06119 d. The observers [M. W. Feast](/source/Michael_William_Feast) and [G. H. Herbig](/source/George_Howard_Herbig) noted a peculiar [spectrum](/source/Stellar_spectrum) with strong [absorption lines](/source/Absorption_line) of the molecules [CH](/source/Methylidyne_radical) and [CN](/source/Cyanide), while neutral iron lines are unusually weak. They found a [stellar classification](/source/Stellar_classification) of G5p I–III.[4]

In 1972, [T. Lloyd-Evans](/source/Thomas_Harry_Hope_Lloyd-Evans) and associates found the star's prominent bands of C2, CH, and CN varied with the Cepheid phase, being strongest at minimum. They suggested a large overabundance of carbon in the star's atmosphere.[10] Chemical analysis of the atmosphere in 1979 showed a [metallicity](/source/Metallicity) close to solar, with an enhancement of carbon and nitrogen. It was proposed that V553 Cen is an evolved [RR Lyrae variable](/source/RR_Lyrae_variable) and is now positioned above the [horizontal branch](/source/Horizontal_branch) on the [HR diagram](/source/HR_diagram).[11] V553 Cen is classified as a [BL Herculis variable](/source/BL_Herculis_variable), being a low–mass [type II Cepheid](/source/Type_II_Cepheid) with a period between 1 and 6 d. As with other variables of this type, it displays a secondary bump on its [light curve](/source/Light_curve).[5] It is a member of a small group of carbon Cepheids, and is one of the brightest stars of that type.[12]

V553 Cen does not appear to have a companion.[13] From the luminosity and shape of the [light curve](/source/Light_curve), [stellar models](/source/Stellar_model) from 1981 suggest a mass equal to 49% of the Sun's with 9.9 times the radius of the Sun.[5] Further analysis of the spectrum showed that oxygen is not enhanced, but sodium may be moderately enhanced.[12] There is no evidence of [s-process](/source/S-process) enhancement of elements. Instead, the abundance peculiarities are the result of [nuclear reaction](/source/Nuclear_fusion) sequences followed by [dredge-up](/source/Dredge-up).[13] In particular, these are the product of [triple-α](/source/Triple-alpha_process), CN, ON, and perhaps some Ne–Na reactions.[12]

## See also

- [Carbon star](/source/Carbon_star)[12]

- [RT Trianguli Australis](/source/RT_Trianguli_Australis)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Anderson_Francis_2012_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Anderson_Francis_2012_1-1) Anderson, E.; Francis, Ch. (2012), "XHIP: An extended hipparcos compilation", *Astronomy Letters*, **38** (5): 331, [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[1108.4971](https://arxiv.org/abs/1108.4971), [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2012AstL...38..331A](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012AstL...38..331A), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1134/S1063773712050015](https://doi.org/10.1134%2FS1063773712050015), [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [119257644](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:119257644).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GaiaDR3_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GaiaDR3_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-GaiaDR3_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-GaiaDR3_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-GaiaDR3_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-GaiaDR3_2-5) Vallenari, A.; et al. (Gaia collaboration) (2023). ["*Gaia* Data Release 3. Summary of the content and survey properties"](https://doi.org/10.1051%2F0004-6361%2F202243940). *Astronomy and Astrophysics*. **674**: A1. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[2208.00211](https://arxiv.org/abs/2208.00211). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2023A&A...674A...1G](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023A&A...674A...1G). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1051/0004-6361/202243940](https://doi.org/10.1051%2F0004-6361%2F202243940). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [244398875](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:244398875). [Gaia DR3 record for this source](https://vizier.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/VizieR-4?-source=+I%2F355&-from=nav&-nav=cat%3AI%2F355%26tab%3A%7BI%2F355%2Fgaiadr3%7D%26key%3Asource%3D1355%2Fgaiadr3%26HTTPPRM%3A%26-out.add%3D.%26Source%3D%3D%3D5047189109469319680%26-go+%25%23Sesame%23%25%26) at [VizieR](/source/VizieR).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Samus_et_al_2017_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Samus_et_al_2017_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Samus_et_al_2017_3-2) Samus, N. N.; et al. (2017), "General Catalogue of Variable Stars", *Astronomy Reports*, GCVS 5.1, **61** (1): 80–88, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2017ARep...61...80S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017ARep...61...80S), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1134/S1063772917010085](https://doi.org/10.1134%2FS1063772917010085), [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [255195566](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:255195566).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hoffmeister_1957_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hoffmeister_1957_4-1) Hoffmeister, Cuno (May 1957), "On Two Abnormal Stars of Delta Cephei Type", *Astrophysical Journal*, **125**: 824, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1957ApJ...125..824H](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1957ApJ...125..824H), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/146358](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F146358).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Petersen_1981_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Petersen_1981_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Petersen_1981_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Petersen_1981_5-3) Petersen, J. O. (March 1981), "V553 Centauri and a progression of bumps in BL Herculis light curves", *Astronomy and Astrophysics*, **96**: 146–150, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1981A&A....96..146P](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1981A&A....96..146P).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kovtyukh_et_al_2018_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kovtyukh_et_al_2018_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Kovtyukh_et_al_2018_6-2) Kovtyukh, V.; et al. (May 2018), "Metal-poor Type II Cepheids with Periods Less Than Three Days", *Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific*, **130** (987), [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[1803.05041](https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.05041), [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2018PASP..130e4201K](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2018PASP..130e4201K), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1088/1538-3873/aaacf7](https://doi.org/10.1088%2F1538-3873%2Faaacf7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SIMBAD_7-0)** ["V553 Cen"](http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=V553+Cen), *[SIMBAD](/source/SIMBAD)*, [Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg](/source/Centre_de_donn%C3%A9es_astronomiques_de_Strasbourg), retrieved 2024-12-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MAST_8-0)** ["MAST: Barbara A. Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes"](https://mast.stsci.edu/portal/Mashup/Clients/Mast/Portal.html). Space Telescope Science Institute. Retrieved 5 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hoffmeister_1936_9-0)** Hoffmeister, Cuno (April 1936), "71 südlicheneue Veränderliche", *Astronomische Nachrichten* (in German), **258** (3): 39, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1936AN....258...39H](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1936AN....258...39H), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/asna.19362580303](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fasna.19362580303).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Lloyd_Evans_et_al_1972_10-0)** Lloyd Evans, T.; et al. (1972), "V553 Centauri: a type II cepheid with an overabundance of carbon", *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*, **159**: 67, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1972MNRAS.159...67L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1972MNRAS.159...67L), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/mnras/159.1.67](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fmnras%2F159.1.67).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Cotrell_1979_11-0)** Cotrell, P. L. (October 1979), "Carbon and nitrogen abundances in the carbon-rich Cepheid V553 Centauri", *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*, **189**: 13–25, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1979MNRAS.189...13C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1979MNRAS.189...13C), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/mnras/189.1.13](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fmnras%2F189.1.13).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Wallerstein_Gonzalez_1996_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Wallerstein_Gonzalez_1996_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Wallerstein_Gonzalez_1996_12-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Wallerstein_Gonzalez_1996_12-3) Wallerstein, George; Gonzalez, Guillermo (October 1996), "The carbon Cepheid V553 Cen: evidence of triple-alpha and CNO cycling", *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*, **282** (4): 1236–1246, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1996MNRAS.282.1236W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1996MNRAS.282.1236W), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/mnras/282.4.1236](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fmnras%2F282.4.1236).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Wallerstein_Gonzalez_1998_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Wallerstein_Gonzalez_1998_13-1) Wallerstein, G.; Gonzalez, G. (1998), Bradley, Paul A.; Guzik, Joyce A. (eds.), "V553 Cen and the Carbon Cepheids", *A Half Century of Stellar Pulsation Interpretation: A Tribute to Arthur N. Cox; proceedings of a Conference held in Los Alamos, NM 16-20 June 1997*, ASP Conference Series, vol. 135, p. 36, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1998ASPC..135...36W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1998ASPC..135...36W).

## Further reading

- Galazutdinov, G. A.; Klochkova, V. G. (1995), "Spectroscopy of Selected Pulsating Stars: the Anomalous Variable V351 CEP", *Astronomical and Astrophysical Transactions*, **8** (3): 227–237, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1995A&AT....8..227G](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1995A&AT....8..227G), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/10556799508203309](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F10556799508203309).

- [Wallerstein, G.](/source/George_Wallerstein); et al. (February 1979), "The chemical composition and luminosity of the CH-type cepheid, V553 Centauri", *Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific*, **91**: 47–52, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1979PASP...91...47W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1979PASP...91...47W), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/130438](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F130438).

- Landolt, A. U. (June 1975), "UBVRI photometry of V553 Centauri", *Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific*, **87**: 373–377, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1975PASP...87..373L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1975PASP...87..373L), [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/129777](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F129777).

- Wisse, P. N. J.; Wisse, M. (1970), "Some Observations of the Anomalous Cepheid V553 Centauri", *Monthly Notes of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa*, **29**: 151, [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1970MNSSA..29..151W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1970MNSSA..29..151W).

v t e Constellation of Centaurus List of stars in Centaurus Centaurus in Chinese astronomy Stars Bayer α A (Rigil Kentaurus) B (Toliman) C (Proxima Centauri) β (Hadar) γ δ ε ζ (Leepwal) η θ (Menkent) ι (Kulou) κ λ μ ν (Heng) ξ1 ξ2 ο1 ο2 π ρ σ τ υ1 υ2 φ χ ψ x1 x2 C3 D E F G H J K M N Q Flamsteed 1 (i) 2 (g) 3 (k) 4 (h) Variable R T V Y RR SV SX BV DY UY V346 V553 V744 V752 V761 (a) V763 (C1) V766 V779 (Krzemiński's star) V803 V810 V816 (Przybylski's Star) V831 V842 V885 V886 V863 V1032 V1369 V1400 V1935 HR 4460 (A) 4466 (C2) 4499 4522 4523 4537 (j) 4546 (B) 4721 4748 (u) 4796 4817 (l) 4831 (w) 4874 (p) 4888 (e) 4889 (n) 4940 (f) 4979 4989 5006 (r) 5041 (m) 5089 (d) 5174 (z) 5222 (y) 5224 5241 5297 5358 (v) 5371 5471 (b) 5485 (c1) 5489 (c2) HD 97413 98176 100453 101581 101930 102117 (Uklun) 103197 107914 108236 109749 110113 113538 113766 114386 114729 115600 116434 (Matza) 117207 117618 (Dofida) 117939 120411 121228 121504 124448 (Popper's Star) 125072 125595 131399 Other 2MASS J1126−5003 2M1207 Gaia BH2 HD 131399 Ab PSR B1259−63 PSR J1311−3430 TOI-763 WASP-15 (Nyamien) WASP-41 WASP-42 WASP-167/KELT-13 Exoplanets 2M1207b b Centauri b HD 101930 b HD 102117 b (Leklsullun) HD 103197 b HD 109749 b HD 113538 b c HD 114386 b HD 114729 b HD 117207 b HD 117618 b (Noifasui) HD 121504 b HIP 65426 b (Najsakopajk) HIP 67522 b NGTS-13b Proxima Centauri b c d WASP-15b (Asye) Star clusters NGC 3766 4230 4507 5281 5286 5316 5460 5617 5662 Other IC 2944 ω Centauri Scorpius–Centaurus association Stock 16 Nebulae NGC 3918 5307 Other Boomerang Nebula Fleming 1 G292.0+1.8 G306.3-0.9 Gum 41 IC 2944 IRAS 13208−6020 RCW 79 RCW 86 Southern Crab Nebula SuWt 2 Galaxies NGC 3557 3568 3749 3783 4444 4603 4622 4650A 4683 4696 4706 4709 4729 4730 4743 4744 4909 4930 4945 4976 5011 A 5026 5064 5082 5090 5091 5102 5114 5121 5128 (Centaurus A) 5161 5206 5253 5266 5291 5398 5408 5419 5483 5516 Other ESO 269-57 ESO 325-4 ESO 383-76 ESO 444-46 Fourcade-Figueroa Object IC 3370 IC 4214 IC 4329A IRAS 13224−3809 J1144−4308 LEDA 677373 PKS 1144−379 PKS 1353−341 PKS 1424−418 Galaxy clusters Abell S740 Centaurus Cluster Shapley Supercluster Astronomical events GW190521 SN 185 SN 1895B (Z) SN 1972E SN 1986G J1407b SN 2019so Category

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