Beta Lupi
Star in the constellation of Lupus
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Through Star, Constellation and Parallax
Properties
The stellar classification of B2 III indicates this is a giant star. The effective temperature of the star's outer envelope is 24,090 K, giving it the blue-white hue of a B-type star. With an age of around 25 million years, it is near the end of its hydrogen phase, where hydrogen is fused into the element helium, and transferring into a red supergiant star. At about 8.8 solar masses, it may have enough mass to end its life as a Type II supernova, but there is the possibility of Beta Lupi becoming a white dwarf.
This is a multi-period Beta Cephei variable with a dominant oscillation period of 0.232 days. It is a proper motion member of the Upper Centaurus–Lupus sub-group in the Scorpius–Centaurus OB association, the nearest such co-moving association of massive stars to the Sun. Beta Lupi has a high proper motion of more than 50 mas per year, suggesting a significant transverse velocity.
It is positioned about 1.3° SSW of the supernova remnant SN 1006.
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Name
In Chinese, 騎官 (Qí Guān), meaning Imperial Guards, refers to an asterism consisting of β Lupi, γ Lupi, δ Lupi, κ Centauri, λ Lupi, ε Lupi, μ Lup, π Lupi, ο Lupi and α Lupi. Consequently, the Chinese name for β Lupi itself is 騎官四 (Qí Guān sì, English: the Fourth Star of Imperial Guards.). From the French rendering of this Chinese name derives the traditional European name Ke Kwan or Kekouan ().