Star profile

Gomeisa

Beta Canis Minoris · Canis Minor

Variable star

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

What is Gomeisa

Gomeisa is a faintly variable blue star shining in Canis Minor, forever close to the dazzling Procyon. Its name comes from the Arabic «al-ġumayṣāʾ», meaning «the watery-eyed one», and it is drawn from a pre-Islamic legend of two stellar sisters parted forever by the great river of the Milky Way. At 162 light-years, it is relatively near — a discreet neighbour perpetually overshadowed by its more famous companion.

Where it is and when to see it

Gomeisa lies in the northern 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 47° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 58° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 48° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 82° S.

It ranks no. 2 in brightness among the 25 stars of Canis Minor in our catalogue. To find it, start from Procyon, the brightest: it lies about 4° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 160 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

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Astronomical data for Gomeisa

Constellation: Canis Minor
Apparent magnitude: 2.89
Distance: 161.7 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 111.788° · Dec 8.289°
Catalogue: HIP 36188 · HD 58715

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 Minor

Canis Minor has 25 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 25 stars in Canis Minor