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Muliphein

Muliphen, Isis, Mirza, Gamma Canis Majoris, 23 Canis Majoris

Proper NamesMuliphein
Bayer DesignationGamma Canis Majoris
Flamsteed Number23 Canis Majoris
HR (BSC)2657
HD53244
ConstellationCanis Major
Right Ascension7h 3m 45s
Declination-15° 38' 0"
Distance442 light years
136 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +4.1
Absolute: -1.6
Spectral ClassB8II blue bright giant
Optimum VisibilityJanuary
NotesThis is a blue bright giant star with a diameter some five times that of the Sun, and there are indications that it may possess a binary companion. Muliphein is an outlying member of the open cluster Collinder 121, the core of which lies farther southward in central Canis Major.

A blue star lying a little to the east of brilliant Sirius in the constellation of Canis Major, the Greater Dog. In the sky, Muliphein appears much fainter than its famous neighbour, but this effect is due to the fact that it is more than forty times further away. If both stars lay at the same distance from Earth, Muliphein would outshine even Sirius in the sky.

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