- Beta Canis Majoris
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Beta Canis Majoris Observation data
Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000Constellation Canis Major Right ascension 06h 22m 42s Declination -17° 57′ 21.3″ Apparent magnitude (V) 1.98 Characteristics Spectral type B1 II-III U−B color index -0.98 B−V color index -0.23 Variable type Beta Cephei Astrometry Radial velocity (Rv) 34 km/s Proper motion (μ) RA: -3.45 mas/yr
Dec.: -0.47 mas/yrParallax (π) 6.53 ± 0.66 mas Distance approx. 500 ly
(approx. 150 pc)Absolute magnitude (MV) -3.95 Details Mass ? M☉ Radius 12 R☉ Luminosity 19,000 L☉ Temperature 22,000 K Metallicity ? Rotation 36 km/s. Age unknown years Other designations Beta Canis Majoris (β CMa, β Canis Majoris) is a star in the constellation of Canis Major. It has the traditional name Murzim, Al-Murzim or Mirzam.
Murzim is a variable magnitude blue-white giant star. The brightness of Murzim varies between 1.95 and +2.00 in a six-hour period. It is a Beta Cephei variable star. It is currently in the final stages of using hydrogen gas for fuel and will eventually exhaust its supply and begin using helium for fuel instead.
Beta Canis Majoris is located near the far end of the Local Bubble, a cavity in the local interstellar medium through which the Sun is traveling.
The traditional non-religious name in Arabic is (مرزم) for 'The Herald', and probably refers to its position, heralding Sirius in the night sky (i.e., rising before it).
In Chinese, 軍市 (Jūn Shì), meaning Market for Soldiers, refers to an asterism consisting of β Canis Majoris, ν3 Canis Majoris, 15 Canis Majoris, π Canis Majoris, ο1 Canis Majoris and ξ1 Canis Majoris.[1] Consequently, β Canis Majoris itself is known as 軍市一 (Jūn Shì yī, English: the First Star of Market for Soldiers.)[2]. From this Chinese name, the name Kuen She arose.[3]
Modern legacy
Murzim appears on the flag of Brazil, symbolising the state of Amapá.[4]
Namesakes
USS Murzim (AK-95) was a United States Navy Crater class cargo ship named after the star.
References
- ^ (Chinese) 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, ISBN 978-986-7332-25-7.
- ^ (Chinese) 香港太空館 - 研究資源 - 亮星中英對照表, Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
- ^ Richard Hinckley Allen: Star Names — Their Lore and Meaning: Canis Major
- ^ "Astronomy of the Brazilian Flag". FOTW Flags Of The World website. http://www.fotw.net/flags/br_astro.html.
Stars of Canis Major Bayer Flamsteed - 1 (ζ, Furud)
- 2 (β, Mirzam)
- 3
- 4 (ξ¹)
- 5 (ξ²)
- 6 (ν¹)
- 7 (ν²)
- 8 (ν³)
- 9 (α, Sirius)
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13 (κ)
- 14 (θ)
- 15
- 16 (ο¹)
- 17
- 18 (μ)
- 19 (π)
- 20 (ι)
- 21 (ε, Adhara)
- 22 (σ)
- 23 (γ, Muliphein)
- 24 (ο²)
- 25 (δ, Wezen)
- 26
- 27
- 28 (ω)
- 29
- 30 (τ)
- 31 (η, Aludra)
Nearby Other Categories:- Bayer objects
- B-type bright giants
- B-type giants
- Canis Major constellation
- Beta Cephei variables
- Stars with proper names
- Variable star stubs
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