{"id":3291,"date":"2024-08-05T15:17:03","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T14:17:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.popastro.com\/variablestar\/?page_id=3291"},"modified":"2024-08-05T15:17:05","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T14:17:05","slug":"guide-to-u-monocerotis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.popastro.com\/variablestar\/guide-to-u-monocerotis\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to U Monocerotis."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

U Monocerotis is the second brightness example of a RV Tauri-Type star known to astronomers. The brightest example of such a star is R Scuti; a variable star already on the SPA’s programme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like all RV Tauri-Type stars, U Monocerotis is a yellow supergiant, currently evolving form a red giant to a white dwarf. Indeed, it may be in a pre-planetary nebula phase, a phase that only lasts a few thousand years, which is why stars of this type are so rare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like R Scuti, U Monocerotis has two periods, one short, lasting about 92 days, and a longer period lasting 2475 days. It varies from around the fifth magnitude, to around the seventh magnitude, making it easily to follow in a small pair of binoculars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is easy to find, as it’s in the same binocular field of view as alpha Monocerotis. As alpha Monocerotis is a fourth magnitude star, it can be hard to locate in light polluted skies. However, it can be found by following a line east from Rigel through Saiph; the two stars that make-up the base of Orion. It is also east of a line connecting Sirius and Procyon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A finder chart is included below to help you locate U Monocerotis; as well as a comparison chart for making your observations. The constellation of Monoceros is a winter constellation, but can be observed from September through to April. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extreme brightness range<\/td>5.1 – 7.5<\/td><\/tr>
More typical range<\/td>5.1 – 7.1<\/td><\/tr>
Period of variation<\/td>Short period: 92 days. Long period: 2475<\/td><\/tr>
Frequency of observation<\/td>Once a week, or every ten days.<\/td><\/tr>
Observe using<\/td>40mm or 50mm binoculars will suffice for most of the time.<\/td><\/tr>
Visibility<\/td>Can be observed from September through to April, but best observed during November to February. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Observing Details for U Monocerotis. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Comparison Chart for U Monocerotis. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Finder Chart for U Monocerotis. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

U Monocerotis is the second brightness example of a RV Tauri-Type star known to astronomers. The brightest example of such a star is R Scuti; a variable star already on the SPA’s programme. Like all RV Tauri-Type stars, U MonocerotisRead more<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3291","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t