Dazzling Vega Star Facts That Will Amaze Every Astronomer!

The name 'Vega' means 'falling' and is derived from the Arabic word 'Wega.'

Vega is a part of the constellation called Lyra and is the fifth-brightest star in the sky. It is also the second most important star after the Sun due to its role as a North Star (relative to the Earth) in 12000 BCE.

This bright star is about 25 million light-years away from the Sun and is about 40 times more luminous, with a surface temperature of 16823 F (9328 C). Although it has a huge mass, which is twice more than that of the Sun, it is considered a young star as it was formed about 500-800 billion years ago.

Due to its huge mass, all the energy of this star will exhaust itself more quickly than other smaller stars, and it will turn into a white dwarf.

According to astronomers, Vega is composed of gas and dust particles of the interstellar medium. It has been observed that its photosphere contains only about 32% of metallic elements, which are available in the atmosphere of the Sun.

The rotation rate of Vega is about 12.5 hours and due to such a high speed, an equatorial bulge has formed in the star. High temperatures are experienced in the Poles. More volumes of ultraviolet radiation are emitted from it when compared to that of the Sun.

Keep reading to learn more fascinating Vega star facts.

Location Of The Vega Star

Vega is located on the mid-northern latitude and remains on the horizon for only about seven hours. Thus, it can be spotted at any time in the night sky.

In the southern parts, Vega is present below the horizon for a longer time. However, in northern Canada, Alaska, and Europe, this star never sets below the horizon.

It is a part of the Lyra star system and is seen prominently in the Northern Horizon in the summertime. Vega is part of the 'Summer Triangle,' which includes three bright stars named Altair, Deneb, and Vega.

Vega is just at the top of this triangle and forms a right angle with the other two stars.

The exact location of the star is 18 h 36 m 56.3 s (right ascension) and 38 degrees 47 m 01 s in declination. As it is not visible at 51° S, you cannot spot this star in the southern parts as you can in Antarctica and South America.

Features Of The Vega Star

Vega was once a North Star and therefore it is of great significance when it comes to studying our ancient civilization. Astronomers consider this to be the second-most important star in our solar system after Sun.

It was also the first star whose spectrum was recorded and the second star that was photographed. In the year 1850, its photographs were taken for the first time.

Vega is about 25 light-years away from the Sun and rotates at an immense speed of 146.6 miles per second (236 km per second) in only 12.5 hours. Therefore, its polar radius is 19% less than its equatorial radius. On the other hand, the Sun completes its rotation in about 28 days.

Vega is 2.1 times bigger than the Sun and therefore, the fifth-brightest star in the sky. It is a main-sequence star and belongs to the A-class.

Vega is one of the luminous stars whose distance has been estimated by parallax measurements. The atomic number of the elements that make up the star is higher than helium. It is estimated to be about 350 million years old, which is 1/13th of that of the Sun.

Thus, it is a young star when compared to the Sun. Vega can be seen with the naked eye with a magnitude that varies from 0.127 to 0.068. Another name for this star is 'Alpha Lyrae.'

An asteroid belt encompassing Vega was discovered in the year 2013. This led astronomers to theorize the possible presence of planets around the once-called North Star. However, this belt comprises rocks, icy asteroids, and other debris, which are present in the Kuiper Belt as well. Due to this, stars with a dust emission are called Vega-like stars.

Distance Of Vega Star From The Earth

Vega is about 25.05 light-years away from the Earth. It can be spotted from the north celestial pole in the night sky quite easily.

Due to its high-speed rotation, this star slightly bulges at its equator. Different temperature conditions prevail across the photosphere of the star. The poles experience the highest temperatures. A circumstellar disk is present around the star, which is mostly the result of collisions.

The enveloped disc of dust suggests that the star underwent some kind of tectonic or planet-forming activity. More than 10 stars are present near Vega, all of which are at a 10 light-year distance.

Comparing Vega And The Sun

Vega is 40 times luminous than and twice as hot as the Sun. Its size is 2.1 times larger than that of the Sun and due to this huge mass, Vega will burn out more quickly than other stars of a smaller size.

After the Sun, it is considered the second-most important star in the solar system, and was a North Star in ancient times. Vega is 60 times brighter than the Sun and is estimated to be about 350 million years old, which is 1/13th of that of the Sun.

FAQs

Is Vega the brightest star?

Vega is the fifth-brightest star seen in the night sky.

What kind of star is Vega?

Vega is a white main-sequence star, belonging to the A-Class category.

Where is Vega in the night sky?

The Vega star can be spotted in the northeast direction in the sky from the Northern Hemisphere. It is exceptionally bright and shines prominently in the night sky amidst other bright stars.

Is Vega a main-sequence star?

The Star Vega is a main-sequence star of the constellation of Lyra.

What stage is Vega in?

Vega is in the main-sequence stage and therefore looks like a red giant in the northern sky. After exhausting all its energy, this star will become a white dwarf.

What is the temperature of Vega?

The Star Vega has a surface temperature of 16823 F (9328 C).

Why is Vega so important?

Vega is the fifth-brightest star in the solar system and was once the Northern Pole star in around 12000 BCE. It will again be considered the North Pole star in the year 13727.

Is the Vega star brighter than the Sun?

Vega is 60 times brighter than the Sun and is estimated to be about 350 million years old, which is 1/13th of that of the Sun.

Does the Vega star move?

The rotation time of Vega is about 12.5 hours and it moves at a great speed. Due to its tremendous speed, the equator of this star is much colder than its poles.

Is the Vega star in the Milky Way?

Vega is part of the Milky Way and can be spotted in the northern celestial hemisphere.

Are there planets around Vega?

Researchers have not yet found any evidence of planets orbiting around Vega.