Zeta Reticuli

Zeta Reticuli is the name of a binary star system in the constellation network.

The angular distance between two stars is 310 " ( seconds of arc ), so that Zeta Reticuli, like Mizar and Alcor, can be separated even with the naked eye. This angular separation corresponds to a distance of about 3.750AE. Zeta1 Reticuli belongs to the spectral type G2.5 V and has an apparent magnitude of 5.54 mag. Zeta2 Reticuli has a brightness of 5.24 mag and belongs to the spectral class G1 on V. The stars are about 12.1 parsecs (about 39.5 light years) from Earth.

The system is part of the Zeta Herculis - motion cluster.

Trivia

Larger gained fame Zeta Reticuli in the abduction story of Betty and Barney Hill, a hand-drawn by Betty Hill star map should show the origin of the alien abductors. Thus, the hypothesis that an alien species, which is known as Greys, could come from Zeta Reticuli was born.

The planetary system of zeta2 Reticuli is in the science fiction films Alien - The sinister creature from another world, Aliens - The Return and Prometheus - the scene of action.