NOTABLE STARS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z           HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Adhara (Epsilon Canis Majoris) The second brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. It lies below Sirius at the lower right of a triangle of bright stars known to the Arabs as “the Virgins,” from which its name (alternatively spelled “Adara” or “Undara”) derives. Adhara is a binary star. The primary is one of the hottest of the bright stars: so luminous that if placed at the distance of Sirius (just over 8 light-years), it would shine 15 times brighter than Venus. Astronomers have used its spectrum extensively to study the nature of the local interstellar medium. The secondary, which has an apparent magnitude of +7.5 and an absolute magnitude of -5.0, lies 7.5" away with a position angle of 161° of the main star. Yet, despite this relatively large angular separation, the components can only be resolved in large telescopes, since the main star is some 250 times brighter than its companion. Visual magnitude 1.51 Absolute magnitude -4.11 Spectral type B2Iab Luminosity (Sun=1) 20,000 Surface temperature 24,750 K Distance 430 light-years (132 pc) Position R.A. 06h 58m 37.56s, Dec. -28° 58' 19.4" Other designations Adharaz, Undara, Undara, 21 Canis Majoris, HR 2618, CoD -28°3666, HD 52089, SAO 172676, FK5 268, HIP 33579, GC 9188, ADS 5654, CCDM 06586-2858 Related entry    • brightest stars Related category    • NOTABLE STARS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP