μ Boötis

Mu/μ Boötis, Latinized from μ Boötis, consists of a pair of double stars in the northern constellation of Boötes, 120 light-years from the Sun.

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Mu Boötis had the traditional name Alkalurops /ælkəˈljʊərɒps/, although the International Astronomical Union now regards that name as only applying to μ1 Boötis.

The primary pair, component A, is designated μ1 Boötis and the two components an angular separation of 0.08″.

The secondary, consisting of components BC, is designated μ2 Boötis and they have a separation of 2.2″. The two double star systems are separated by 107″, with matching parallaxes and proper motions, suggesting they form a system. However, components BC have a different chemical composition compared to the A pair, indicating this may instead be a close encounter between two binary systems.

Keywords: μ Boötis, Boötes, double star