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Atik Star Omicron Persei; +10 Facts, Myth, Features

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  5. Atik Star Omicron Persei; +10 Facts, Myth, Features

Atik star (also known as Omicron Persei) is a star located in the constellation Perseus, which is visible from Earth’s northern hemisphere. It has an apparent magnitude of 3.84, making it visible to the naked eye. Atik star is a hot, blue-white star with a spectral type of B1 III.

Atik is relatively close to Earth, with a distance of about 1,100 light-years. It has a high luminosity and a mass that is about 9 times that of the Sun. Atik is also a binary star system, which means that it consists of two stars orbiting around a common center of mass. The companion star is much fainter than Atik, with an apparent magnitude of 12.4. In ancient times, the Atik star was known as the “Shoulder of the Slain” in Arabic and was thought to be one of the stars that formed the head of the mythical hero Perseus, who slew the monster Medusa. Today, the Atik star is an important star for astronomers, who study its properties and use it as a reference point in the night sky.

atik star
Omicron Persei in optical light

+10 Important Facts about Atik Star

here are some facts about Atik star:

  1. Atik is also known as Omicron Persei, which is its Bayer designation. It is the 15th brightest star in the constellation Perseus.
  2. Atik star is a hot, blue-white star with a surface temperature of about 23,000 Kelvin. It has a spectral type of B1 III.
  3. Atik is a binary star system, which means that it consists of two stars orbiting around a common center of mass. The companion star is much fainter than Atik, with an apparent magnitude of 12.4.
  4. Atik is relatively close to Earth, with a distance of about 1,100 light-years. Its high luminosity and mass make it one of the most luminous stars in our galaxy.
  5. Atik has a radius that is about 7.5 times that of the Sun and a mass that is about 9 times that of the Sun.
  6. Atik is a young star, with an estimated age of about 20 million years. It is still in the process of fusing hydrogen into helium in its core, which powers its bright light.
  7. Atik star is classified as a variable star, which means that its brightness varies slightly over time. This variability is caused by pulsations in the star’s outer layers.
  8. Atik was first cataloged by the Greek astronomer Hipparchus in the 2nd century BCE. Its name comes from the Arabic word for “shoulder.”
  9. Atik is an important reference star for astronomers, who use it to calibrate the brightnesses of other stars.
  10. Atik star is not known to have any planets or other objects in its system. However, there may be planets orbiting the companion star, which has not been well-studied.

atik star

The Myth behind the Atik Star

In Greek mythology, the constellation Perseus is associated with the hero Perseus, who is known for slaying the Gorgon Medusa. One of the stars in the constellation, Atik (also known as Omicron Persei), was considered to be part of the figure of Perseus.

In Arabic astronomy, the Atik star was also known as Al Fakhrit al Musalsalah, which means “the linked ostrich chicks.” According to one myth, the star was once two ostrich chicks who were chained together by a hunter. The chicks pleaded with the gods for help, and the gods transformed them into stars, which were placed in the sky as a reminder of the hunter’s cruelty.

In other cultures, the Atik star has been associated with different figures and myths. In Hindu mythology, it is associated with the goddess Krittika, who is often depicted as a star. In ancient Babylonian astronomy, Atik was associated with the god Adad, who was associated with thunder and lightning.

Overall, the myths and legends surrounding the Atik star and the constellation Perseus highlight the importance of the stars in human cultures throughout history.

Summary

Atik star (Omicron Persei) is a hot, blue-white star in the constellation Perseus, located about 1,100 light-years from Earth. It is a binary star system with a mass about 9 times that of the Sun and has an estimated age of 20 million years. Atik is an important reference star for astronomers and is associated with various myths in different cultures.

Reference:

https://theskylive.com/sky/stars/atik-omicron-persei-star

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