Zeta Cassiopeiae

Zeta Cassiopeiae (ζ Cas, ζ Cassiopeiae) is a star in the constellation Cassiopeia. It has a blue-white hue and is classified as a B-type subgiant with an apparent magnitude of +3.67. It is approximately 590 light years from Earth.

ζ Cas is a member of an unusual group of variable stars known as "Slowing Pulsating B" (SPB) stars. It shows a pulsation frequency of 0.64 per day (or once every 1.56 days) and displays a weak magnetic field with a strength of roughly 3.35 × 10–2 T, which varies with a period of 5.37 days. This likely matches the rotation rate of the star, which, when combined with the low projected rotational velocity, indicates the star may be seen nearly pole-on. Zeta Cassiopeiae is a candidate magnetic Bp star that shows an overabundance of helium. The star contains a randomly oriented fossil magnetic field, which impacts the outflow of the stellar wind. Collisions between streams from this stellar wind creates a shock front, with cooling particles settling toward a co-rotating disk.