Gamma Canis Majoris

γ Canis Maioris
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Canis Major
Right ascension 07h 03m 45.5s
Declination −15° 38′ 00″
Apparent magnitude (V) +4.11
Distance402 ± 31 ly
(123 ± 10 pc)
Spectral typeB8II
Other designations
Muliphein, Muliphen, Isis, Mirza, 23 Canis Majoris, HR 2657, HD 53244, BD −15° 1625, FK5 271, HIP 34045, SAO 152303, GC 9320

Gamma Canis Majoris (γ CMa, γ Canis Majoris) is a star in the constellation Canis Major. It has the traditional name Muliphein,[1] not to be confused with Muhlifain, which is Gamma Centauri; both names derive from the same Arabic root, محلفين muħlifayn.

It is unclear exactly why this relatively faint star was given the "gamma" designation, but it is possibly because it is in the same part of the constellation as Sirius (alpha) and Murzim (beta).

γ Canis Majoris is a blue-white B-type bright giant with an apparent magnitude of +4.11. It is approximately 402 light years from Earth. This star has 5.6 times the radius of the Sun and the outer atmosphere has an effective temperature of 13,596 K.[2]

Modern legacy

Muliphein appears on the flag of Brazil, symbolizing the state of Rondônia.[3]

Muliphen as the name of a warship

The USS Muliphen (AKA-61) was once a U.S. Navy cargo ship.

References

  1. ↑ Star Name - R.H.Allen p.130
  2. ↑ Underhill, A. B. et al. (November 1979), "Effective temperatures, angular diameters, distances and linear radii for 160 O and B stars", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 189: 601–605, Bibcode:1979MNRAS.189..601U, doi:10.1093/mnras/189.3.601
  3. ↑ "Astronomy of the Brazilian Flag". FOTW Flags Of The World website.