Mirzam

Mirzam (β Canis Majoris) is a blue-white bright giant star in the constellation Canis Major. With an apparent magnitude of 1.98 it is the 46th-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 492 light-years from Earth.

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

ConstellationCanis Major
Designationβ Canis Majoris (Beta Canis Majoris), HR 2294
Apparent magnitude1.98 (46th brightest)
Spectral typeB1II-III
Colorblue-white (B−V -0.23)
Distanceabout 492 light-years
Right ascension6 h 22.7 min
Declination−17.96°
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 Mirzam

Mirzam is in Canis Major. From 40° N it is highest in the south in February evenings, about 32° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 73° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Sirius (5° away), Saiph (12° away) and Arneb (12° away).

Canis Major constellation →

Other named stars in Canis Major

SiriusAdharaWezenAludraFurudNganurganityMuliphein

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