Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 30, 2026

W Corvi

W Corvi is an eclipsing binary star system in the constellation Corvus, ranging from apparent magnitude 11.16 to 12.5 over 9 hours. Its period has increased by 1/4 second over a century. It is an unusual system in that its two stars are very close to each other yet have different surface temperatures and hence thermal transfer is not taking place as expected.

Last revised
Jul 30, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
215 w
Citations
6
Source
Wikipedia ↗
W Corvi

A visual band light curve for W Corvi, adapted from Odell and Cushing (2004)1
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox ICRS
Constellation Corvus
Right ascension 12h 07m 34.360s2
Declination −13° 08′ 59.02″2
Apparent magnitude (V) 11.16 - 12.53
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage Beta Lyrae variable
Spectral type G-
Astrometry
Proper motion (μ) RA: −18.8±2.1 mas/yr
Dec.: +18.2±2.1 mas/yr
Details
Other designations
W Corvi, BD−12°3565
Database references
SIMBADdata

W Corvi is an eclipsing binary star system in the constellation Corvus, ranging from apparent magnitude 11.16 to 12.5 over 9 hours.3 Its period has increased by 1/4 second over a century. It is an unusual system in that its two stars are very close to each other yet have different surface temperatures and hence thermal transfer is not taking place as expected.4

References

References

  1. Odell, A. P.; Cushing, G. E. (March 2004). "Changes in the Period and Light Curve of W Corvi". Information Bulletin on Variable Stars. 5514: 1. Bibcode:2004IBVS.5514....1O.
  2. "W Crv -- Eclipsing binary of beta Lyr type (semi-detached)". Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  3. Watson, Christopher (4 January 2010). "W Corvi". The International Variable Star Index. American Association of Variable Star Observers. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  4. Odell, Andrew P. (1996). "Changes in the Period and Light Curve of W Corvi". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 282 (2): 373–83. Bibcode:1996MNRAS.282..373O. doi:10.1093/mnras/282.2.373.