A redetermination of the luminosity, distance, and reddening of Beta Lyrae

The most likely distance to the Beta Lyrae system is redetermined to lie at 370 pc, corresponding to a distance modulus of 7.8 mag, while the correct modulus value probably lies in the 7.7-8.0 mag range, corresponding to a distance range between 345 and 400 pc. On the basis of Wilson's (1974) model, the phase-averaged absolute visual magnitude of the primary component is -4.1 mag; this star is therefore a very luminous giant, classifiable as B8.5 or B9, with a luminosity class of II-Ib. The present data are based on optical and IUE scans of the brightest visual companion to Beta Lyrae, HD 174664, together with an analysis of the H line profiles in its spectrum.