# V803 Centauri

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Star in the constellation Centaurus

V803 Cen Three light curves for V803 Centauri, on three timescales, hours (plot A), days (plot B) and years (plot C). Adapted from Patterson et al. (2000),[1] Kato et al. (2004)[2] and Levitan et al. (2015)[3] Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 Constellation Centaurus Right ascension 13h 23m 44.54s[4] Declination −41° 44′ 29.54″[4] Apparent magnitude (V) 12.7 - 17.7[5] Characteristics Spectral type pec[6] U−B color index −0.9 - −1.0[7] B−V color index +0.1[7] Variable type AM CVn[8] Astrometry Proper motion (μ) RA: −3.907[4] mas/yr Dec.: +11.978[4] mas/yr Parallax (π) 3.4885±0.0599 mas[4] Distance 930 ± 20 ly (287 ± 5 pc) Absolute magnitude (MV) 5.93[8] Details White dwarf Mass 0.8 - 1.2[8] M☉ Donor star Mass 0.06 - 0.11[8] M☉ Other designations V803 Centauri, V803 Cen, AE-1, 2MASS J13234454-4144294, AAVSO 1317-41. Database references SIMBAD data

**V803 Centauri** (V803 Cen) is a [cataclysmic](/source/Cataclysmic_variable_star) binary consisting of a dwarf [helium star](/source/Helium_star) losing mass to a white dwarf. It is an example of the [AM Canum Venaticorum](/source/AM_Canum_Venaticorum_star) (AM CVn) type of [cataclysmic variable](/source/Cataclysmic_variable) stars.[1]

[Aina Margareta Elvius](/source/Aina_Elvius) announced the discovery of this star in 1975.[6] It was given its [variable star designation](/source/Variable_star_designation), V803 Centauri, in 1978.[9] The [light curve](/source/Light_curve) shows a "low state" at about magnitude 17, with rapid outbursts of several magnitudes lasting only a few days or brighter super-outbursts lasting a few weeks, and a "high state" at up to 13th magnitude. V803 Centauri is most often seen in the high state, where it may stay bright for a year or more.[10]

The donor star has been radically stripped of material and now only around 0.1 [M☉](/source/Solar_mass) remains. With its outer layers removed, the helium core has expanded and cooled and is almost impossible to detect directly. The accreting white dwarf has a temperature around 14,000 [K](/source/Kelvin).[11] Most of the light from V803 Cen is produced by an accretion disk, especially when the system is in outburst. The accretion disk shows a blackbody temperature around 30,000 K.[12]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-patterson_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-patterson_1-1) Patterson, Joseph; Walker, Stan; Kemp, Jonathan; O'Donoghue, Darragh; Bos, Marc; Stubbings, Rod (2000). ["V803 Centauri: A Helium-rich Dwarf Nova"](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F316561). *Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific*. **112** (771). The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific: 625–631. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2000PASP..112..625P](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2000PASP..112..625P). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/316561](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F316561). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [316561](https://www.jstor.org/stable/316561).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Kato_2-0)** Kato, Taichi; Stubbings, Rod; Monard, Berto; Butterworth, Neil D.; Bolt, Greg; Richards, Tom (March 25, 2004). ["V803 Centauri: Helium Dwarf Nova Mimicking a WZ Sge-Type Superoutburst"](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fpasj%2F56.sp1.S89). *Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan*. **56**: S89–S98. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[astro-ph/0307308](https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0307308). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2004PASJ...56S..89K](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2004PASJ...56S..89K). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/pasj/56.sp1.S89](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fpasj%2F56.sp1.S89).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Levitan_3-0)** Levitan, David; Groot, Paul J.; Prince, Thomas A.; Kulkarni, Shrinivas R.; Laher, Russ; Ofek, Eran O.; Sesar, Branimir; Surace, Jason (January 2015). ["Long-term photometric behaviour of outbursting AM CVn systems"](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fmnras%2Fstu2105). *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. **446** (1): 391–410. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[1410.6987](https://arxiv.org/abs/1410.6987). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2015MNRAS.446..391L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015MNRAS.446..391L). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/mnras/stu2105](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fmnras%2Fstu2105).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dr3_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dr3_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dr3_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-dr3_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-dr3_4-4) 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%3D6137049739573759872%26-go+%25%23Sesame%23%25%26) at [VizieR](/source/VizieR).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gcvs_5-0)** Samus', N. N.; Kazarovets, E. V.; Durlevich, O. V.; Kireeva, N. N.; Pastukhova, E. N. (2017). "General catalogue of variable stars: Version GCVS 5.1". *Astronomy Reports*. **61** (1): 80. [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).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Elvius1975_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Elvius1975_6-1) Elvius, A. (November 1975). "Variable blur object with a peculiar spectrum". *Astronomy and Astrophysics*. **44**: 117–121. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1975A&A....44..117E](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1975A&A....44..117E).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-elvius_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-elvius_7-1) Elvius, A. (1975). "Variable blue object with a peculiar spectrum". *Astronomy and Astrophysics*. **44**: 117. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1975A&A....44..117E](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1975A&A....44..117E).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-solheim_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-solheim_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-solheim_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-solheim_8-3) Solheim, J.-E. (2010). ["AM CVn Stars: Status and Challenges"](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F656680). *Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific*. **122** (896): 1133–1163. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2010PASP..122.1133S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010PASP..122.1133S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/656680](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F656680).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Kholopov1978_9-0)** Kholopov, P. N.; Kukarkina, N. P.; Perova, N. B. (April 1978). ["63rd Name-List of Variable Stars"](https://ibvs.konkoly.hu/pub/ibvs/1401/1414.pdf) (PDF). *Information Bulletin on Variable Stars*. **1414**: 1–10. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1978IBVS.1414....1K](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1978IBVS.1414....1K). Retrieved 16 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-duffy2021_10-0)** Duffy, C.; Ramsay, G.; Steeghs, D.; Dhillon, V.; Kennedy, M. R.; Mata Sánchez, D.; Ackley, K.; Dyer, M.; Lyman, J.; Ulaczyk, K.; Galloway, D. K.; O'Brien, P.; Noysena, K.; Nuttall, L.; Pollacco, D. (2021). ["Evidence that short-period AM CVN systems are diverse in outburst behaviour"](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fmnras%2Fstab389). *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. **502** (4): 4953. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[2102.04428](https://arxiv.org/abs/2102.04428). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2021MNRAS.502.4953D](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021MNRAS.502.4953D). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/mnras/stab389](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fmnras%2Fstab389).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bildsten2006_11-0)** Bildsten, Lars; Townsley, Dean M.; Deloye, Christopher J.; Nelemans, Gijs (2006). "The Thermal State of the Accreting White Dwarf in AM Canum Venaticorum Binaries". *The Astrophysical Journal*. **640** (1): 466. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[astro-ph/0510652](https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0510652). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2006ApJ...640..466B](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006ApJ...640..466B). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/500080](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F500080).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sion2011_12-0)** Sion, Edward M.; Linnell, Albert P.; Godon, Patrick; Ballouz, Ronald-Louis (2011). "The Hot Components of AM CVN Helium Cataclysmics". *The Astrophysical Journal*. **741** (1): 63. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[1108.1388](https://arxiv.org/abs/1108.1388). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2011ApJ...741...63S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011ApJ...741...63S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1088/0004-637X/741/1/63](https://doi.org/10.1088%2F0004-637X%2F741%2F1%2F63).

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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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [V803 Centauri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V803_Centauri) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V803_Centauri?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.