zoom_in Click to enlarge

Aludra

▲ ▼

description Aludra Overview

Aludra, designated Eta Canis Majoris, is a blue supergiant star of spectral type B5 located in the constellation Canis Major. Positioned roughly 3,000 light-years from Earth, it ranks among the most intrinsically luminous stars in the night sky, emitting hundreds of thousands of times more light than the Sun. The star is currently in a late stage of stellar evolution and is expected to eventually end its life as a supernova. It is visible to the unaided eye under standard observational conditions and contributes to the recognizable asterism of the constellation.

help Aludra FAQ

Why can Aludra be seen despite being so far away?

Aludra is a blue supergiant that radiates vastly more energy than the Sun, allowing it to remain visible across thousands of light-years. Distance estimates vary considerably, but its apparent brightness still places it among the recognizable stars of Canis Major.

Where is Aludra located in the outline of Canis Major?

Aludra represents the tail of the Great Dog in traditional constellation diagrams. It lies southeast of Sirius and near Wezen, another luminous supergiant in Canis Major.

Is Aludra hotter than Sirius?

Yes, Aludra is generally classified as a B-type blue supergiant, while Sirius A is an A-type main-sequence star. Aludra is therefore hotter and intrinsically much more luminous, although Sirius looks brighter because it is only 8.6 light-years away.

Does Aludra vary in brightness?

Aludra is classified as an Alpha Cygni-type variable, a group of luminous supergiants with small non-radial pulsations. Its changes are modest, so casual observers normally see a stable-looking star.

swap_horiz

Looking for Aludra alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward