Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Categories: Bayer objects | Binary stars | Bootes constellation | Orange bright giants | Orange giants | White main sequence stars
Izar
Izar is the proper name of the star ε Bootis in the constellation Bootes. Izar is actually a binary star, consisting of a bright orange giant and a smaller main sequence star. The bulk of this article deals with the dominant orange giant. Izar itself is a fairly late-stage star well into its stellar evolution, having already exhausted its supply of hydrogen fuel. By the time the smaller main sequence star reaches this point in its evolution, the primary star will have lost much of its mass in a planetary nebula and evolved into a white dwarf, and the pair will have essentially changed roles: the primary star becoming the dim dwarf, while the lesser A star will shine as a bright orange giant.
The name Izar is derived from the Arabic ازار izār "veil".
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