Xi Serpentis

Xi Serpentis (ξ Ser, ξ Serpentis) is a triple star system in the constellation Serpens. The primary star, Xi Serpentis A, is a yellow-white F-type giant with an apparent magnitude of +3.54. It is a spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 2.29 days. A 13th magnitude companion, Xi Serpentis B, is located 25 arcseconds from the primary pair. Xi Serpentis is approximately 105 light years from Earth.

Name

In Chinese, Tiān Shì Zuǒ Yuán (天市左垣), meaning Left Wall of Heavenly Market Enclosure, refers to an asterism which is represent eleven old states (and region) in China which is marking the left borderline of the enclosure, consisting of ξ Serpentis, δ Herculis, λ Herculis, μ Herculis, ο Herculis, 112 Herculis, ζ Aquilae, η Serpentis, θ¹ Serpentis, ν Ophiuchi and η Ophiuchi. Consequently, ξ Serpentis itself is known as Tiān Shì Zuǒ Yuán shí (天市左垣十, English: the Tenth Star of Left Wall of Heavenly Market Enclosure), representing the region of Nanhai (南海, lit. meaning southern sea)