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NGC 2362. |
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| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 |
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|---|---|
| Constellation | Canis Major |
| Right ascension | 07h 18m 42.4s |
| Declination | −24° 57′ 15″ |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 4.37 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | O9Ib |
| Astrometry | |
| Distance | 3200 ± 2200 ly (980 ± 680 pc) |
| Other designations | |
Tau Canis Majoris (τ CMa, τ Canis Majoris) is an eclipsing spectroscopic binary in the constellation Canis Major and the brightest star of an open cluster designated NGC 2362. It is approximately 3200 light years from Earth.
This star is sometimes known as the 'Mexican Jumping Star' by amateur astronomers, because it can appear to 'jump around' with respect to the other stars in the cluster because of its marked contrast in brightness.[1]
τ Canis Majoris is classified as an O-type blue supergiant with a mean apparent magnitude of +4.37. It is a Beta Lyrae type variable star with a period of 1.28 days, over which time its brightness varies from magnitude +4.32 to +4.37.
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