44 Boötis [SEP] constellation
44 Boötis
44 Boötis or i Boötis is a triple star system in the constellation Boötes. It is approximately 41.6 light years from Earth.
The primary component, 44 Boötis A, is a yellow-white G-type main sequence dwarf with a mean apparent magnitude of +4.83. The companion component, 44 Boötis B, is a W Ursae Majoris variable spectroscopic binary. The variability of this star system was discovered by English astronomer William Herschel. The brightness of the binary varies from magnitude +5.8 to +6.40 with a period
Quadrans Muralis" and shrank the constellation a little in his 1801 "Uranographia" star atlas, to avoid it clashing with neighboring constellations.
In 1922, Quadrans Muralis was omitted when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) formalised its list of officially recognized constellations.
Notable features.
- The variable star BP Boötis was a member of the constellation.
- 39 Boötis is a double star that was transferred by Lalande into Quadrans.
- The Quadrantid meteor shower is still named after the obsolete constellation.