Gamma Canis Majoris

γ Canis Majoris
Location of γ Canis Majoris (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Canis Major
Right ascension 07h 03m 45.49305s
Declination −15° 37 59.8300
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.10
Characteristics
Spectral type B8II
U−B color index −0.45
B−V color index −0.13
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+32.0 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −0.14 mas/yr
Dec.: −11.36 mas/yr
Parallax (π)7.38±0.21 mas
Distance440 ± 10 ly
(136 ± 4 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−1.4
Details
Radius5.205 R
Luminosity750 L
Surface gravity (log g)3.5 cgs
Temperature13,200 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]−0.24 dex
Rotation6.214 days
Rotational velocity (v sin i)30 km/s
Other designations
Muliphein, Muliphen, 23 Canis Majoris, BD−15°1625, FK5 271, HD 53244, HR 2657, HIP 34045, SAO 152303
Database references
SIMBADdata

Gamma Canis Majoris (γ Canis Majoris, abbreviated Gamma CMa, γ CMa), also named Muliphein /ˈmjuːlɪfn/, is a star in the constellation of Canis Major. It is unclear exactly why this relatively faint star was given the 'gamma' designation, but possibly because it is in the same part of the constellation as Sirius (alpha) and Mirzam (beta).