Adhara

Adhara (ε Canis Majoris) is a blue-white bright giant star in the constellation Canis Major. With an apparent magnitude of 1.5 it is the 23rd-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 430 light-years from Earth.

Finder chart showing where Adhara is in the constellation Canis Major
Adhara (circled) in Canis Major, with the surrounding constellations and bright stars.
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Facts

ConstellationCanis Major
Designationε Canis Majoris (Epsilon Canis Majoris), HR 2618
Apparent magnitude1.5 (23rd brightest)
Spectral typeB2II
Colorblue-white (B−V -0.21)
Distanceabout 430 light-years
Right ascension6 h 58.6 min
Declination−28.97°
Best monthFebruary (at about 9 pm)

Sources: star positions, magnitudes and colors from the Yale Bright Star Catalogue; constellation boundaries and star names from the IAU; areas and distances from Wikidata; stick figures by M. van der Sluys. How the maps are made.

How to find Adhara

Adhara is in Canis Major. From 40° N it is highest in the south in February evenings, about 21° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 84° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Wezen (3° away), Aludra (6° away) and Sirius (13° away).

Canis Major constellation →

Other named stars in Canis Major

SiriusWezenMirzamAludraFurudNganurganityMuliphein

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