DQ Herculis
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DQ Herculis | |
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Hercules |
| Right ascension | 18h 07m 30.25s |
| Declination | +45° 51′ 32.6″ |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 15.16 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | DBe+M2V |
| Variable type | DQ Herculis |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | -4 km/s |
| Distance | 1,260+110 −95 ly (386+33 −29[1] pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | 12.99 |
| Details | |
| Mass | 0.7/0.4 M☉ |
| Radius | 0.012/0.44 R☉ |
| Luminosity | 0.0064/0.03 L☉ |
| Temperature | 14,500/3,500 K |
| Orbit | |
| Period (P) | 0.0002 yr |
| Semi-major axis (a) | 0.003 AU |
| Inclination (i) | 81.7° |
| Other designations | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
DQ Herculis (or Nova Herculis 1934) was a slow, bright nova occurring in Hercules in December 1934. The nova was first observed on 13 Dec, 1934, reaching a peak brightness with an apparent magnitude 1.5 on 22 Dec, 1934.[2] The nova remaining visible to the naked eye for several months.[3] With the use of a modest telescope, the nova was observable for significantly longer.
DQ Herculis is the prototype for a category of cataclysmic variable stars called intermediate polars. The system shows orbital period variation, possibly due to the presence of a third body.[4]
In Popular Culture
The nova was one of the brightest objects observable in the night sky. In addition to scientific articles, and received significant coverage in popular news publications.[5][6] Brad Ricca, an English professor at Case Western Reserve University, has suggested that Nova Herculis may have influenced the development of the origin story of the comic book superhero Superman.[7]
References
- ^ Harrison, Thomas E.; et al. (2013). "Hubble Space Telescope Fine Guidance Sensor Parallaxes for Four Classical Novae". The Astrophysical Journal. 767 (1). 7. arXiv:1302.3245. Bibcode:2013ApJ...767....7H. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/767/1/7.
- ^ Wright, W. H. (1935). "Comments on Nova Herculis 1934". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 47 (275): 47–49. Bibcode:1935PASP...47...47.. doi:10.1086/124534. JSTOR 40670634.
- ^ "Nova Herculis, Discovered in December 1934, Varies From First to Thirteenth Magnitudes--Now Fading, About Sixth". 1935-12-07. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
- ^ Dai & Qian; Qian, S. B. (2009). "Plausible explanations for the variations of orbital period in the old nova DQ Herculis". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 503 (3): 883–888. Bibcode:2009A&A...503..883D. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/200810909.
- ^ Waldemar Kaempffert (1934-12-23). "The Week In Science: STAR OF BETHLEHEM A NOVA?; Recent Brilliant Outburst Recalls the Orb the Magi Followed". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
- ^ "Science: Nova Herculis; Swaseya". Time. 1934-12-31. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
- ^ "Superman's Origins Possibly Born from Star Explosion". 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
