48 Librae

48 Librae (48 Lib) is a Be star located in the constellation Libra. It is approximately 380 light-years from Earth. 48 Librae is a variable star, exhibiting variations in its brightness and spectral characteristics.

Characteristics:

• Spectral Type: B3Ve. The "B3" indicates it is a hot, blue-white star. The "V" indicates it is a main-sequence star, meaning it is fusing hydrogen in its core. The "e" indicates that it is a Be star, meaning it is a B-type star with emission lines in its spectrum, caused by a circumstellar disk of gas ejected from the star.
• Variability: Classified as a Gamma Cassiopeiae variable, its brightness changes irregularly. These changes are thought to be related to variations in the density and structure of its circumstellar disk.
• Circumstellar Disk: As a Be star, 48 Librae possesses a rapidly rotating circumstellar disk of gas, primarily hydrogen, ejected from the star's equatorial regions. The disk's interaction with the star's radiation and magnetic field produces the emission lines characteristic of Be stars.
• Rotation: 48 Librae is a rapid rotator, spinning much faster than most other stars. This rapid rotation contributes to the formation of the circumstellar disk.
• Magnitude: Its apparent magnitude varies between approximately 4.74 and 4.94, making it visible to the naked eye under favorable observing conditions.

Observation:

48 Librae is located in the constellation Libra and can be found with binoculars or a small telescope.