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What's in a Name: |
Star designated 40 in the constellation Eridanus. |
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Claim to Fame: | One of the first white dwarfs found. A white dwarf is the exposed extremely hot core of a star that has blown off its outer layers. Made of extremely dense material. A piece the size of a marble would weigh as much as an elephant.
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Type of Star: | Blue-White Color. Small hot white dwarf (Spectral Class DA4).
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How Far Away: | 16 light years
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How Big: | 1/70 sun's radius (1.5 times the Earth's radius). About 1/2 the sun's mass.
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| How Bright: | 1/300 times the sun's visible brightness
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Where to View: | In the constellation of Auriga. Not visible to the unaided eye.
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When to View: | Best viewed from the Northern hemisphere during November-January.
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