HD 176693

HD 176693 is a G-type main-sequence star located approximately 123 light-years away in the constellation Lyra. It is somewhat similar to our Sun, but slightly cooler and less massive.

Stellar Characteristics

HD 176693 is classified as a G5V star, indicating its spectral type and luminosity class. G-type stars are yellow dwarfs, and V signifies that it is a main-sequence star, fusing hydrogen into helium in its core. It has an effective temperature of around 5,600 Kelvin, giving it a yellow hue.

Planetary System

In 2009, a planet was discovered orbiting HD 176693. This exoplanet, designated HD 176693 b, is a gas giant with a mass approximately 0.64 times that of Jupiter. It orbits the star at a distance of about 0.65 astronomical units (AU) with a period of approximately 286 days. The planet was discovered using the radial velocity method, which detects the wobble in a star's motion caused by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet.

Observational Data

HD 176693 is visible with binoculars under dark skies. Its coordinates are approximately Right Ascension 18h 58m 07.50s and Declination +36° 51' 37.7". It is a relatively faint star, with an apparent magnitude of around 6.7.

Significance

HD 176693 and its planetary system are of interest to astronomers studying exoplanets and stellar evolution. The discovery of HD 176693 b contributes to our understanding of the diversity of planetary systems beyond our own solar system. The star's similarity to the Sun makes it a valuable target for studying the potential for habitability in other star systems, although HD 176693 b itself is not considered habitable due to its size and gaseous nature.