Mirzam
star · Canis Major · 2.0ᵐ
Blue-white star in Canis Major.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Mirzam around the year 1533.
About 41 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Mirzam in?
Mirzam lies in Canis Major.
Is Mirzam visible to the naked eye?
2.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Mirzam?
Best observed in December.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 6h 23m · −17° 57′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Canis Major
- How to observe
- 2.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- B1II/III — blue-white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -3.9ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈3,162 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~493 light years
- Designation
- HIP 30324
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 12° | 128° |
| +55° | 17° | 123° |
| +45° | 27° | 116° |
| +30° | 42° | 111° |
| 0° | 72° | 108° |
| −35° | 73° | 112° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 22:37 |
| February | 20:30 |
| March | 18:45 |
| April | 16:51 |
| May | 14:57 |
| June | 12:51 |
| July | 10:47 |
| August | 08:46 |
| September | 06:53 |
| October | 05:04 |
| November | 03:03 |
| December | 00:55 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.