Nu Puppis

Nu Puppis
Diagram showing star positions and boundaries of the Puppis constellation and its surroundings


Location of ν Puppis (circled)

Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Puppis
Right ascension 06h 37m 45.67s
Declination −43° 11' 45.3"
Apparent magnitude (V) +3.17
Absolute magnitude (V)-2.21[1]
Distance423 ly
(130 pc)
Spectral typeB8III SB
Other designations
ν Puppis, ν Pup, Nu Pup, CPD−43  946, GC 8675, HD 47670, HIP 31685, HR 2451, PPM 310958, SAO 218071

Nu Puppis (Nu Pup, ν Puppis, ν Pup) is a blue B-type giant with an apparent magnitude of +3.17. It is the fifth brightest star in Puppis. At a distance of 423 light years, this class B (B8) giant, with a measured temperature of 12,000 Kelvin, shines with a luminosity (after allowance for ultraviolet radiation) of 1340 times that of Sun.[2]

Nu Puppis is moving through the Galaxy at a speed of 31 km/s relative to the Sun. Its projected Galactic orbit carries it between 19,000 and 24,400 light years from the center of the Galaxy. It came closest to the Sun 3.6 million years ago when it had brightened to magnitude -2.57 from a distance of 26 light years.[1]

References