GJ 3379

GJ 3379

GJ 3379, also known as Giclas 99-49, is the closest star in the Orion constellation. It is about 17 light years from our Sun. Because it is too faint, we need special equipment to see it. Its apparent visual magnitude is +11.31, which means it cannot be seen with the naked eye.

This star sits in the upper left part of Orion, to the southeast of the bright star Betelgeuse. Scientists study GJ 3379 to learn more about objects close to us in space.

In the distant past, GJ 3379 came close to our Solar System. About 161,000 years ago, it came within about 4 light years of the Solar System. Today, it is moving away from us at a speed of +30 kilometers per second, as measured by its radial velocity. This star helps astronomers understand how stars move and their history near Earth.

Physical characteristics

GJ 3379 is a small red dwarf star. This means it is cooler and less bright than our Sun. It is part of a group called M-type main-sequence stars and shines with only a tiny bit of the Sun’s light.

This star changes its brightness a little and spins very fast. It completes a full rotation in just 1.8 days. It also gives off energy as X-rays and has a strong magnetic field. According to the SIMBAD database, GJ 3379 is known as an eruptive variable.