A light curve for KX Andromedae, plotted from Hipparcos data,[10] folded with the period published by Koen and Eyer (2002)[11]
The primary component of the KX Andromedae system is a Be star with a spectral classification B3pe as of 2017,[3] although in historical records it has varied from B1 to B7.[12]
The secondary star is difficult to detect in the spectrum, but has been given a K1III spectral type. It is likely to be an asymptotic giant branch star that fills its Roche lobe, transferring mass to the primary star.[8]
The system is only about 25 million years old. The pair complete a circular orbit every 38.919 days at an inclination of 50°.[8]
KX Andromedae is surrounded by bipolar jets of ejected material, that extend 19 light-years (5.8 parsecs) out from it in each direction (angular size 20′). These faint jets, visible in hydrogen-alpha, were discovered in 2024 by astronomer Stefan Ziegenbalg.[1]
123KX And, database entry, Combined General Catalog of Variable Stars (GCVS5.1, 2017 Ed.), N. N. Samus, O. V. Durlevich, et al., CDS ID II/250 Accessed on line 2018-10-17.
12345Database entry, Catalogue of Stellar Photometry in Johnson's 11-color system (2002 Ed.), J. R. Ducati, CDS ID II/237 Accessed on line 2018-11-10.
↑Cutri, Roc M.; Skrutskie, Michael F.; Van Dyk, Schuyler D.; Beichman, Charles A.; Carpenter, John M.; Chester, Thomas; Cambresy, Laurent; Evans, Tracey E.; Fowler, John W.; Gizis, John E.; Howard, Elizabeth V.; Huchra, John P.; Jarrett, Thomas H.; Kopan, Eugene L.; Kirkpatrick, J. Davy; Light, Robert M.; Marsh, Kenneth A.; McCallon, Howard L.; Schneider, Stephen E.; Stiening, Rae; Sykes, Matthew J.; Weinberg, Martin D.; Wheaton, William A.; Wheelock, Sherry L.; Zacarias, N. (2003). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: 2MASS All-Sky Catalog of Point Sources (Cutri+ 2003)". CDS/ADC Collection of Electronic Catalogues. 2246: II/246. Bibcode:2003yCat.2246....0C.
1234567Tarasov, A. E.; Berdyugina, S. V.; Berdyugin, A. V. (May 1998). "The massive interacting binary KX And: The orbit and physical parameters of the secondary component". Astronomy Letters. 24 (3): 316–320. Bibcode:1998AstL...24..316T.
