Some surveys have indicated that Alpha Tauri B may have about the same proper motion and parallax as Aldebaran and thus may be a physical binary system. However these measurements are difficult to make because the dim B component appears so close to the bright primary star. The resulting margin of error is too large to positively establish (or exclude) a physical relationship between the two stars. So far neither the B component, nor anything else, has been unambiguously shown to be physically associated with Aldebaran.[14]
Alpha Tauri CD is a binary system with the C and D component stars gravitationally bound to and co-orbiting each other. These co-orbiting stars have been shown to be located far beyond Aldebaran and are members of the Hyades star cluster. As with the rest of the stars in the cluster they do not physically interact with Aldebaran in any way.[9]
[edit]Claims of a planetary system
In 1993, radial velocity measurements of Aldebaran, Arcturus and Pollux showed that Aldebaran exhibited a long-period radial velocity oscillation, which could be interpreted as a substellar companion. The measurements for Aldebaran implied a companion with a minimum mass 11.4 times that of Jupiter in a 643-day orbit at a separation of 2.0 AU (300 Gm) in a mildly eccentric orbit. However, all three stars surveyed showed similar oscillations yielding similar companion masses, and the authors concluded that the variation was likely to be intrinsic to the star rather than due to the gravitational effect of a companion.[15] Subsequent observations have not confirmed any substellar companions in orbit around this star.[16]
[edit]Etymology
The name Aldebaran is the traditional Arabic (الدبران al-dabarān (ad-dabarān)) name which literally translates as "the follower". The name probably refers to the way this bright star follows the Pleiades star cluster in its nightly journey across the sky.[3]
In Persia it was known as Sadvis and Kugard.[17]
The Romans called it Palilicium.
In Chinese it is known as 畢宿五 (Bìxiùwŭ, the Fifth Star of the Net).
in Hindu astronomy it is identified as the lunar mansion Rohini and as one of the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha and the wife of the god Chandra.
[edit]Myths
This easily seen and striking star in its suggestive asterism is a popular subject for ancient and modern myths.
Inuit culture In Inuit astronomy, Aldebaran is called "Spirit of a Polar Bear".[citation needed]
Mexican culture For the Seris of northwestern Mexico, this star is providing light for the seven women giving birth (Pleiades). It has three different names: Hant Caalajc Ipápjö, Queeto, and Azoj Yeen oo Caap ("star that goes ahead"). The lunar month corresponding to October is called Queeto yaao "Aldebaran's path".[18]
Native American culture For the Dakotas (a branch of the Native American Sioux tribe), Aldebaran took on a heroic aspect. The young star was the child of the sun and the lady Blue Star. One day, he desired to hunt the white buffalo (the Pleiades). After he pulled up a sapling to make a spear, a hole was made in the ground and he could see all the people of Earth down below. The white buffalo took this chance to push him through. He was found by an old woman and was to be known as Old Woman's Grandson. On Earth, he killed many strange monsters that had been troubling the Native Americans; one monster of which was a serpent that caused drought. The young hero killed the serpent, releasing a great stream of water that became the Mississippi River. In time, Old Woman's Grandson remembered the white buffalo and returned to hunting him in the sky to fulfill his destiny.
Aldebaran
The position of Aldebaran in the Taurus constellation.
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Taurus
Right ascension 04h 35m 55.239s[1]
Declination +16° 30′ 33.49″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 0.75-0.95[2]
Characteristics
Spectral type K5III[1]
U−B color index 1.90
B−V color index 1.54
Variable type LB[2]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) +54.26 ±0.03[1] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 62.78 ±0.89[1] mas/yr
Dec.: −189.35 ±0.58[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π) 50.09 ± 0.95 mas
Distance 65 ± 1 ly
(20 ± 0.4 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) −0.63
Details
Mass 1.7[3] M☉
Radius 44.2[4] R☉
Luminosity 425[3] L☉
Temperature 4,010[3] K
Metallicity 70% Sun[3]
Other designations
87 Tauri, Alpha Tauri, BD +16°629, GJ 171.1, GJ 9159, HD 29139, HIP 21421, HR 1457, SAO 94027
Database references
SIMBAD data
ARICNS data