9.46
Apparent Mag7,000
Distance (ly)F0Ib-G0Ib
Spectral Type6,000
Temperature (K)W Virginis is the prototype of Type II Cepheids, an old population of pulsating stars distinct from classical Cepheids.
Stellar Data
Apparent Magnitude9.46
Absolute Magnitude-3
Distance7,000 light-years
Spectral TypeF0Ib-G0Ib
Temperature6,000 K
Luminosity1,300 L☉
Radius30 R☉
Mass0.65 M☉
Right Ascension13h 26m 02.0s
Declination-03° 22′ 27.0″
ConstellationVirgo
Notable Facts
- W Virginis is the prototype of Type II Cepheids
- Type II Cepheids are older and less luminous than classical Cepheids
- The distinction helped resolve a major dispute about the distance scale of the universe