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Old 11-04-2011, 09:32 PM
ausastronomer (John Bambury)
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Shoalhaven Heads, NSW
Posts: 2,620
Hi Brian,

Steffen is correct. This star is known by a multitude of names including Espin-Birmingham 365 (EsB 365).

It is also known by DY Crucis and "Ruby Crucis", as its coloquial name. It is a variable star which varies from mag 8.4 to 9.9. It is a carbon star and like all other carbon stars, it "appears" at its "reddest", when it is at its dimmest. The period pulsates from 270 to 530 days.

Here is a link to a nice image of it

http://www.pbase.com/image/76996595

This is one of my favourite carbon stars along with R Leporus (Hind's Crimson Star)

Cheers,
John B
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