Alpha Muscae — Star in Musca
About Alpha Mus
Description
Alpha Muscae is a blue-white star of spectral type B2IV-V at magnitude 2.69, the brightest star in Musca (the Fly). Located about 315 light-years from Earth, it has a luminosity of roughly 4,520 times solar. It is a Beta Cephei variable with a pulsation period of about 2.2 hours.
Observing Tips
Alpha Mus lies just south of the Southern Cross in the small constellation Musca. It is a blue-white star in a rich region of the southern Milky Way. The Coal Sack dark nebula lies between Musca and Crux. Only visible from the southern hemisphere. Best observed March through June.
History
Musca was originally called 'Apis' (the Bee) by Petrus Plancius and was later renamed Musca (the Fly) by Lacaille. Alpha Muscae has no traditional proper name. The constellation is one of the smallest but most easily identified in the southern sky due to its proximity to the conspicuous Southern Cross.
Fun Facts
Musca is the only constellation named after an insect. Alpha Mus's rapid pulsation (2.2-hour period) makes it one of the shortest-period Beta Cephei variables among the bright stars.
Observe
1Physical Properties
2Position & Identifiers
3How easy to spot?
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
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5Survey Image
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Explore
7
Size Comparison
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Compare Stars
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Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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Stellar Lifecycle
12
Blackbody Spectrum
13
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
14
Stellar Fusion
Discover
15Stellar Notes
16
Light Travel Time Machine
17
Relativistic Travel
Nearby in the Sky
Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
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