ο1 Centauri is a yellow G-typesupergiant or hypergiant with a mean apparent magnitude of +5.13. Daniel Joseph Kelly O'Connell discovered that the star is a variable star by studying photographic plates taken from 1934 to 1952, and announced his discovery in 1961.[12] It is classified as a semiregular variable star and its brightness varies from magnitude +5.8 to +6.6 with a period of 200 days.[5] Other studies have reported only small brightness variations.[13][14] It is the MK spectral standard for class G3 O-Ia,[15] indicating a highly luminous mass-losing hypergiant star. It has also be classified as F8 Ia0[16] and F7 Ia/ab.[17] The size, luminosity, and distance are equally uncertain.
ο1 Cen forms a very close naked eye double star with ο2 Centauri, a hotter blue supergiant that may be physically associated. ο1 Cen also has an 11th magnitude companion only 13.5" distant,[18] although it appears to be a foreground star unrelated to the other two.[19] ο1 Cen is located very close to V382 Carinae, the brightest yellow hypergiant star in the night sky.
^ abMalyuto, V.; Schmidt-Kaler, T. (1997). "Quantitative spectral classification based on photoelectric spectrum scanner measurements of F-K stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 325: 693. Bibcode:1997A&A...325..693M.
^ abSamus, 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.
^Mallik, Sushma V. (1998). "The central depth of the Ca II triplet lines as a discriminant of chromospheric activity in late type stars". Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India. 26: 479. Bibcode:1998BASI...26..479M.
^O'Connell, D. J. K. (1961). "The semi-regular variable o1 Centauri". Ricerche Astronomiche. 6 (13): 353–359. Bibcode:1961RA......6..353O.
^Friedrich, D.; Schoffel, E. (1971). "New Bright Southern Variable Stars". Information Bulletin on Variable Stars. 558: 1. Bibcode:1971IBVS..558....1F.
^Sterken, C.; Manfroid, J.; Anton, K.; Barzewski, A.; Bibo, E.; Bruch, A.; Burger, M.; Duerbeck, H. W.; Duemmler, R.; Heck, A.; Hensberge, H.; Hiesgen, M.; Inklaar, F.; Jorissen, A.; Juettner, A.; Kinkel, U.; Liu, Zongli; Mekkaden, M. V.; Ng, Y. K.; Niarchos, P.; Puttmann, M.; Szeifert, T.; Spiller, F.; Van Dijk, R.; Vogt, N.; Wanders, I. (1993). "Longterm Photometry of Variables at ESO - Part Two - the Second Data Catalogue 1986-1990". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement. 102: 79. Bibcode:1993A&AS..102...79S.
^Garcia, B. (1989). "A list of MK standard stars". Bulletin d'Information du Centre de Données Stellaires. 36: 27. Bibcode:1989BICDS..36...27G.
^Mantegazza, L. (1992). "Luminosities of yellow supergiants from near-infrared spectra - Calibration through Magellanic Cloud stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 265: 527. Bibcode:1992A&A...265..527M.
^Sowell, James R. (1990). "A survey of Balmer-line profiles and IRAS fluxes in forty yellow supergiants". Astronomical Journal. 100: 834. Bibcode:1990AJ....100..834S. doi:10.1086/115567.