BQ Octantis is a red giant on the asymptotic giant branch. Its spectrum has been classified as M3III or M4III.[10] The spectrum shows abnormal abundances of s-process elements and particularly ZrO, so it is classified as an S star. These stars have dredged up fusion products from the interior, especially carbon. They have reached approximately equal levels of carbon and oxygen in their atmospheres, which causes dramatic changes to the atmospheric chemistry which are visible in the spectrum. As an S star, its spectrum is classified as S5,1, with S5 approximately equivalent to the temperature of an M5 giant and the 1 indicating that the ZrO bands are relatively weak.[4]
^ abc"BQ Oct". International Variable Star Index. AAVSO. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^ abStephenson, C. B. (1984). "A general catalogue of S stars". Publications of the Warner & Swasey Observatory. Bibcode:1984PW&SO...3....1S.
^Evans, D. S. (1967). "The Revision of the General Catalogue of Radial Velocities". Determination of Radial Velocities and Their Applications. 30: 57. Bibcode:1967IAUS...30...57E.
^Skiff, B. A. (2014). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: Catalogue of Stellar Spectral Classifications (Skiff, 2009- )". VizieR On-line Data Catalog. Bibcode:2014yCat....1.2023S.
^Samus, N. N.; Durlevich, O. V.; et al. (2009). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: General Catalogue of Variable Stars (Samus+ 2007-2013)". VizieR On-line Data Catalog: B/GCVS. Originally Published in: 2009yCat....102025S. 1. Bibcode:2009yCat....102025S.
^Kukarkin, B. V.; Kholopov, P. N.; Fedorovich, V. P.; Kireyeva, N. N.; Kukarkina, N. P.; Medvedeva, G. I.; Perova, N. B. (1977). "62nd Name-List of Variable Stars". Information Bulletin on Variable Stars. 1248: 1. Bibcode:1977IBVS.1248....1K.
^Stoy, R. H. (1960). "Photoelectric Three Colour Magnitudes for Southern Stars". Monthly Notes of the Astronomical Society of South Africa. 19: 69. Bibcode:1960MNSSA..19...69S.