Eta Canis Majoris

η Canis Majoris
Location of η Canis Majoris (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Canis Major
Right ascension 07h 24m 05.70228s
Declination −29° 18 11.1798
Apparent magnitude (V) 2.38  2.48
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage Blue supergiant, likely a post-red supergiant
Spectral type B5 Ia
U−B color index −0.708
B−V color index −0.087
Variable type α Cyg
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)41.1 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −4.14 mas/yr
Dec.: 5.81 mas/yr
Parallax (π)1.64±0.40 mas
Distanceapprox. 2,000 ly
(approx. 600 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−7.0
Details
Mass5.5 or 9.5 M
Radius54 R
Luminosity163,800+4,200
−15,900
 L
Surface gravity (log g)1.95+0.02
−0.03
 cgs
Temperature15,800+100
−400
 K
Rotational velocity (v sin i)51.5±5.0 km/s
Age8.3 Myr
Other designations
Aludra, 31 Canis Majoris, CD−29°4328, FK5 283, HD 58350, HIP 35904, HR 2827, SAO 173651
Database references
SIMBADdata

Eta Canis Majoris (η Canis Majoris, abbreviated Eta CMa, η CMa), also named Aludra /əˈldrə, əˈljdrə/, is a blue supergiant star in the constellation of Canis Major. It has an apparent magnitude varying between 2.38 and 2.48, which makes it the fifth-brightest in the constellation and brightest stars. Parallax measurements from the Hipparcos mission give a large distance of 2,000 light-years.