SS Virginis is a

semiregular variable star In astronomy, a semiregular variable star, a type of variable star, is a giant or supergiant of intermediate and late (cooler) spectral type. It shows considerable periodicity in its light changes, accompanied or sometimes interrupted by various i ...

that appears with a strong red hue. It varies in

apparent magnitude Apparent magnitude () is a measure of the Irradiance, brightness of a star, astronomical object or other celestial objects like artificial satellites. Its value depends on its intrinsic luminosity, its distance, and any extinction (astronomy), ...

from a maximum of 6.0 to a minimum of 9.6 over a typical period of 361 days. Its spectral class is C6₃e, indicating that SS Virginis is a

carbon star A carbon star (C-type star) is typically an asymptotic giant branch star, a luminous red giant, whose Stellar atmosphere, atmosphere contains more carbon than oxygen. The two elements combine in the upper layers of the star, forming carbon monox ...

. SS Virginis has a

hydrogen-alpha Hydrogen-alpha, typically shortened to H-alpha or Hα, is a deep-red visible spectral line of the hydrogen atom with a wavelength of 656.28 nm in air and 656.46 nm in vacuum. It is the first spectral line in the Balmer series and is emit ...

emission line A spectral line is a weaker or stronger region in an otherwise uniform and continuous spectrum. It may result from emission or absorption of light in a narrow frequency range, compared with the nearby frequencies. Spectral lines are often used ...

that varies widely, synchronized with the overall variations in light. The line becomes far more prominent as the star becomes brighter. Observations made in the

near-infrared Infrared (IR; sometimes called infrared light) is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than that of visible light but shorter than microwaves. The infrared spectral band begins with the waves that are just longer than those of ...

spectrum indicate that it has a radius of 500

solar radii Solar may refer to: Astronomy * Of or relating to the Sun ** Solar telescope, a special purpose telescope used to observe the Sun ** A device that utilizes solar energy (e.g. "solar panels") ** Solar calendar, a calendar whose dates indicat ...

, and its temperature is between 2,405 and . The location of SS Virginis is two degrees north-following of η Virginis.

References

;References * {{DEFAULTSORT:SS Virginis Virgo (constellation) Mira variables Virginis, SS 120212 108105 Durchmusterung objects