-0.74
Apparent Mag310
Distance (ly)A9II
Spectral Type7,400
Temperature (K)Canopus is the second-brightest star in the night sky and the brightest in the southern constellation Carina. It is a bright giant of spectral type A9, widely used as a navigation reference in spacecraft attitude control systems.
Stellar Data
Apparent Magnitude-0.74
Absolute Magnitude-5.71
Distance310 light-years
Spectral TypeA9II
Temperature7,400 K
Luminosity10,700 L☉
Radius71.4 R☉
Mass8 M☉
Right Ascension06h 23m 57.1s
Declination-52° 41′ 44.4″
ConstellationCarina
Notable Facts
- Canopus is used by spacecraft for navigation due to its brightness and position
- It is over 10,000 times more luminous than the Sun
- Named after the mythological pilot of King Menelaus's ship