Beta Canis Majoris

Beta Canis Majoris
Location of β Canis Majoris (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Canis Major
Right ascension 06h 22m 41.98535s
Declination 17° 57 21.3073
Apparent magnitude (V) 1.985 (1.97 - 2.01)
Characteristics
Spectral type B1 II-III
U−B color index 0.99
B−V color index 0.235
Variable type β Cep
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+33.7 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 3.23 mas/yr
Dec.: 0.78 mas/yr
Parallax (π)6.62±0.22 mas
Distance490 ± 20 ly
(151 ± 5 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)4.1
Details
Mass12 or 12.6 M
Radius7.4 or 8.2 R
Luminosity25,700+3,800
−3,300
 L
Surface gravity (log g)3.78±0.08 cgs
Temperature24,700±300 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]0.04 ± 0.10 dex
Rotation13.6±1.2 days
Rotational velocity (v sin i)31 ± 5 km/s
Age12.2 or 13.8 Myr
Other designations
Mirzam, Murzim, Mirza, 2 Canis Majoris, HR 2294, BD17°1467, HD 44743, SAO 151428, FK5 243, HIP 30324, GC 8223, CCDM 06227-1757
Database references
SIMBADdata

Beta Canis Majoris (β Canis Majoris, abbreviated Beta CMa, β CMa), also named Mirzam /ˈmɜːrzəm/, is a star in the southern constellation of Canis Major, the "Great Dog", located at a distance of about 500 light-years (150 parsecs) from the Sun. In the modern constellation it lies at the position of the dog's front leg.