A study of Kapteyn's star

2005/07/18 by E. Kotoneva, K. A. Innanen, Peter Dawson +2 · 15 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Engineering · #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation #Astro and Planetary Science #Physics #Globular cluster #Astrophysics #Dwarf galaxy #Galaxy #Astronomy #Metallicity #Dwarf spheroidal galaxy #Orbit (dynamics) #Interacting galaxy

paper · pdf · doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20042287

published in Astronomy and Astrophysics 438(3), 957-962 (EDP Sciences)

openalex publication_date 2005/07/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

We present a review of the current knowledge of Kapteyn's Star (KS) – a nearby, low-metallicity M-dwarf, with an eccentric and retrograde Galactic orbit. A brief survey of its spectroscopic properties is provided, together with an analysis of its Galactic orbit in a Galaxy model that incorporates resonances. We propose that KS may have once belonged to a dwarf spheroidal galaxy that merged with the Galaxy, and whose present remnant, if it still exists, is a globular cluster similar to ω Cen.

Citations

• M-Subdwarfs: Spectroscopic Classification and the Metallicity Scale
• Absolute Dimensions of the M‐Type Eclipsing Binary YY Geminorum (Castor C): A Challenge to Evolutionary Models in the Lower Main Sequence
• First radius measurements of very low mass stars with the VLTI
• A Catalog of Parameters for Globular Clusters in the Milky Way
• Barnard's Star and the M Dwarf Temperature Scale
• Metallicity measurements using atomic lines in M and K dwarf stars

Cited by

• Two planets around Kapteyn's star: a cold and a temperate super-Earth orbiting the nearest halo red dwarf
• Intrinsic Lyman alpha Profiles of High-Velocity G, K, and M Dwarfs
• Pictor [wikipedia]