S Coronae Borealis
S Coronae Borealis is a Mira variable star in the constellation Corona Borealis. Its apparent magnitude varies between 5.3 and 13.6, with a period of 360 days—just under a year. Within the constellation, it lies to the west of Theta Coronae Borealis, and around 1 degree southeast of the eclipsing binary star U Coronae Borealis. When it is near its maximum brightness, it can be seen with the naked eye, under good observing conditions.
Variability
S Coronae Borealis was discovered to vary in brightness by German amateur astronomer Karl Ludwig Hencke in 1860. It was classified as a long period variable star as other similar objects were discovered, and later as a Mira variable. The maximum range of variation is from magnitude 5.3 to 13.6 although individual maxima and minima can vary in brightness. The period of 360 days is fairly predictable.Properties
S Coronae Borealis is a cool red giant on the asymptotic giant branch. It pulsates, which causes its radius and temperature to change. One calculation found a temperature range of 2,350 K to 2,600 K, although a more modern calculation gives a temperature of 2,864 K. Similarly a calculation of the varying radius gives although a modern calculation of the radius gives. The bolometric luminosity varies much less than the visual magnitude and is estimated to be. Its parallax has been measured by very-long-baseline interferometry, yielding a result of, which converts to a distance of.The masses of AGB stars are poorly known and cannot be calculated from their physical properties, but they can be estimated using asteroseismology. The pulsations of S Coronae Borealis lead to a mass estimate of 1.34 times that of the Sun.