Chi Ceti is a triple star in the equatorial constellation of Cetus. The name is a Bayer designation that is Latinized from χ Ceti, and abbreviated Chi Cet or χ Cet. They appear to be common proper motion companions, sharing a similar motion through space. The brighter component, HD 11171, is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.66, while the fainter companion, HD 11131, is magnitude 6.75. Both lie at roughly the same distance, with the brighter component lying at an estimated distance of 76.6 light years from the Sun based upon an annual parallax shift of .
The primary, component A, is an evolved K-type giant star with a stellar classification of F3 III. However, Houk and Swift (1999) listed a classification of F0 V, which would match an F-type main sequence star. It displays an infrared excess at a wavelength of 70 μm and thus is a candidate host of an orbiting debris disk.
The secondary, component Ba, shares common proper motion companion with the primary. It is a G-type main sequence star with a classification of G3 V. It is a BY Draconis variable with a periodicity of 8.92 days and a variable-star designation of EZ Ceti.
The tertiary, component Bb, is a proper motion companion to Ba, separated by 6.72" from it. It is much smaller and fainter than either the primary of the secondary.
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External links
http://www.alcyone.de/cgi-bin/search.pl?object=HR0531 http://server3.wikisky.org/starview?object_type=1&object_id=1287