Star profile

Xi 1 Canis Majoris

Variable star

3D likeness based on its real data · class B · ~15,000 K

What is Xi 1 Canis Majoris

Xi-1 Canis Majoris is a Beta Cephei-type variable: it pulses, inflating and deflating its atmosphere in cycles of a few hours. Blue and hot, it lives nearly 1,400 light-years away, in the celestial pack that trails Orion across the winter sky. Its subtle heartbeat makes it one of the finest clocks in the Greater Dog —imperceptible to the naked eye, palpable to the photometer.

Where it is and when to see it

Xi 1 Canis Majoris lies in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is January, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 15° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 26° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 80° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 67° N.

It ranks no. 15 in brightness among the 90 stars of Canis Major in our catalogue. To find it, start from Sirius, the brightest: it lies about 7° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 1,400 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

It opens in your browser. Free, no account, nothing to install.

Leave your signature on Xi 1 Canis Majoris

Your name and a message go up on the map for everyone to read. Signing is free.

Without a lock, someone else can replace your signature. How the lock works

We'll ask for an email to confirm it's you, no password.

Write my signature

A public signature from a real person. The chosen name is a symbolic denomination within Stelvia, with no official standing or IAU recognition: the sky is not for sale and belongs to no one.

Astronomical data for Xi 1 Canis Majoris

Constellation: Canis Major
Apparent magnitude: 4.34
Distance: 1382.2 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 97.964° · Dec -23.418°
Catalogue: HIP 31125 · HD 46328

A symbolic commemorative gift: neither the signature nor the chosen name implies ownership of the star or recognition by the IAU.

Other stars in Canis Major

Canis Major has 90 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 90 stars in Canis Major