Canopus (star)
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Carina |
| Pronunciation | /kəˈnoʊpəs/ |
| Right ascension | 06h 23m 57.10988s |
| Declination | −52° 41′ 44.3810″ |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | −0.74 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | A9 II |
| U−B color index | +0.10 |
| B−V color index | +0.15 |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | 20.3 km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) |
RA: 19.93 mas/yr Dec.: 23.24 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 10.55 ± 0.56mas |
| Distance | 310 ± 20 ly (95 ± 5 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | –5.71 |
| Details | |
| Mass | 8.0 ± 0.3 M☉ |
| Radius | 71 ± 4 R☉ |
| Luminosity | 10,700 L☉ |
| Surface gravity (log g) | 1.64 ± 0.05 cgs |
| Temperature | 6,998 K |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | –0.07 dex |
| Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 8.0 km/s |
| Other designations | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
Canopus (/kəˈnoʊpəs/), also designated Alpha Carinae (α Carinae, abbreviated Alpha Car, α Car), is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina, and the second brightest star in the night-time sky, after Sirius. Canopus's visual magnitude is −0.74, and it has an absolute magnitude of −5.71.
Canopus is a bright giant of spectral type A9, so it is essentially white when seen with the naked eye. It is located in the far southern sky, at a year 2000 declination of −52° 42′ and a right ascension of 06h 24.0m.
Its name is generally considered to originate from the mythological Canopus, who was a navigator for Menelaus, king of Sparta (see below).
In Indian Vedic literature, the star Canopus is associated with the sage Agastya, one of the ancient rishis (the others are associated with the stars of the Big Dipper). Agastya, the star, is said to be the 'cleanser of waters' and its rising coincides with the calming of the waters of the Indian Ocean. It is considered the son of Pulasthya, son of Brahma.
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