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Xamidimura

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description Xamidimura Overview

Xamidimura, designated as Mu¹ Scorpii, is a binary star system located in the southern constellation of Scorpius. It consists of two hot, blue B-type stars orbiting so closely that they appear as a single point of light, detectable primarily as a spectroscopic binary. The star's official name was formally approved by the International Astronomical Union in 2018 and originates from the Xhosa language of South Africa.

help Xamidimura FAQ

What star does the name Xamidimura refer to?

Xamidimura is the IAU proper name for the primary component Mu1 Scorpii Aa in the constellation Scorpius. The IAU approved the name in 2017, so it names a component rather than every star that appears near it.

Is Xamidimura a single star or a binary?

Mu1 Scorpii is a close eclipsing binary made of two hot B-type stars, often classified around B1.5 V and B6.5 V. The pair completes an orbit in about 34 hours and 43 minutes, so its brightness changes as the stars eclipse each other.

What does Xamidimura mean?

The name comes from the Khoekhoe phrase xami di mura, commonly translated as 'eyes of the lion.' The phrase is associated with the nearby Mu1 and Mu2 Scorpii pair, while the IAU separately assigned Pipirima to Mu2 Scorpii.

How far away is Xamidimura, and can it be seen?

The Mu1 Scorpii system is roughly 500 light-years away and shines at about third magnitude when viewed as a pair. It is visible without a telescope from suitable southern latitudes, although resolving the components requires more than naked-eye viewing.

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