A K-type main-sequence star is a main-sequence (core hydrogen-burning) star of spectral type K. The luminosity class is typically V. These stars are intermediate in size between red dwarfs and yellow dwarfs, hence the term orange dwarfs often applied to this type.
⭐ Core Definition: K-type main-sequence star
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👉 K-type main-sequence star in the context of Alpha Circini
Alpha Circini (α Cir, α Circini), also named Xami, is a variable star in the faint, southern, circumpolar constellation of Circinus. At an apparent visual magnitude of 3.19, it is the brightest (and also the nearest) star in the constellation and can be readily seen with the naked eye from the southern hemisphere to as far north as 25° north latitude. Parallax measurements of this star yield an estimated distance of 54.0 light-years (16.6 parsecs) from the Earth. There is a K dwarf companion star, Alpha Circini B.
This star belongs to a class of variables known as rapidly oscillating Ap stars. It oscillates with multiple, non-radial pulsation cycles and a dominant cycle of 6.8 minutes. The spectrum shows peculiar features caused by chemical stratification of the outer atmosphere. It displays a moderate deficiency of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, while there is an overabundance of chromium (Cr). The stellar classification of A7 Vp SrCrEu indicates that this is a main sequence star with enhanced levels of strontium (Sr), chromium, and europium (Eu) in its atmosphere (compared to a typical star like the Sun).
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K-type main-sequence star in the context of Alpha Centauri
Alpha Centauri (α Centauri, α Cen, or Alpha Cen) is a star system in the southern constellation of Centaurus. It consists of three stars: Rigil Kentaurus (α Centauri A), Toliman (α Centauri B), and Proxima Centauri (α Centauri C). Proxima Centauri is the closest star to the Sun at 4.2465 light-years (ly), which is 1.3020 parsecs (pc), while Alpha Centauri A and B are the nearest stars visible to the naked eye.
Rigil Kentaurus and Toliman are Sun-like stars (class G and K, respectively) that together form the binary star system α Centauri AB. To the naked eye, these two main components appear to be a single star with an apparent magnitude of −0.27. It is the brightest star in the constellation and the third-brightest in the night sky, outshone by only Sirius and Canopus. α Centauri AB are the nearest binary stars to the Sun at a distance of 4.344 ly (1.33 pc).
View the full Wikipedia page for Alpha CentauriK-type main-sequence star in the context of 61 Cygni
61 Cygni /ˈsɪɡni/ is a binary star system in the northern constellation Cygnus, consisting of a pair of K-type dwarf stars that orbit each other in a period of about 659 years. Of apparent magnitude 5.20 and 6.05, respectively, they can be seen with binoculars in city skies or with the naked eye in rural areas without light pollution.
61 Cygni first attracted the attention of astronomers when its large proper motion was first demonstrated by Giuseppe Piazzi in 1804. In 1838, Friedrich Bessel measured its distance from Earth at about 10.4 light-years, very close to the actual value of about 11.4 light-years; this was the first distance estimate for any star other than the Sun, and the first star to have its stellar parallax measured. Among all stars or stellar systems listed in the latest Gaia catalogues, 61 Cygni has the sixth-highest proper motion, and the highest among all naked-eye visible stars.
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