NR Canis Majoris

NR Canis Majoris
Observational data
Constellation: Canis Major
Right ascension: 7h 27m 8s
Declination: −17° 51 55
Apparent magnitude: +5.67-5.70.[1]

NR Canis Majoris also known as HR 2853, HD 58954, and HIP 36186, is a Delta Scuti variable star with a spectral classification of F2V and varies between magnitude 5.67 and 5.70 over roughly 16 hours.[1] It is located to the west of Sirius, and west of Gamma Canis Majoris.

NR Canis Majoris is 85.88 pc from the Sun, according to Hipparcos, and has a mass of 1.5 solar masses. It is about 2 billion years younger than the Sun.

NR Canis Majoris is notable as it will eventually become the brightest star in the sky 2.6 million years from now to 3 million years from now, one of 4 different stars in Canis Major to hold that title (Alpha Canis Majoris, Beta Canis Majoris, and Epsilon Canis Majoris), being the others that are known at present. During this period, NR Canis Majoris will be only 14 light years away and appear at -0.88 magnitude, about the same as Canopus today. [2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Watson, Christopher (4 January 2010). "LS Canis Majoris". AAVSO Website. American Association of Variable Star Observers. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  2. "V* NR CMa". SIMBAD. Université de Strasbourg. Retrieved 10 May 2013.