HD 48099

HD 48099 is a spectroscopic binary in the constellation Monoceros where both components are massive and luminous O stars. Binary stars offer the opportunity to directly measure the mass of each component, but in the case the orbital inclination is very low and the masses cannot be accurately determined. The stars are orbiting extremely close together, separated only by about the diameters of the stars themselves. They complete one orbit in just over three days. Although HD 48099 only has a moderate space velocity of 37.7 km/s, it has produced a bow shock 2.26 parsecs from the star itself.

HD 48099

HD 48099 is a spectroscopic binary in the constellation Monoceros where both components are massive and luminous O stars. Binary stars offer the opportunity to directly measure the mass of each component, but in the case the orbital inclination is very low and the masses cannot be accurately determined. The stars are orbiting extremely close together, separated only by about the diameters of the stars themselves. They complete one orbit in just over three days. Although HD 48099 only has a moderate space velocity of 37.7 km/s, it has produced a bow shock 2.26 parsecs from the star itself.