About Azmidiske
Description
Azmidiske, Xi Puppis, is a yellow supergiant of spectral class G3 Ib about 1,200 light-years away — a remote but luminous star in the southern constellation Puppis. It shines at magnitude 3.34 and has a total luminosity of roughly 6,000 Suns. Azmidiske is a known spectroscopic binary with a close companion in a 2.66-year orbit.
Observing Tips
Azmidiske lies in southern Puppis, at the stern of the old Argo Navis ship. From mid-northern latitudes it is low on the southern horizon in winter months; southern sites see it much higher. In binoculars it is a warm yellow point in a star-rich field. Best observed December through April.
History
The name Azmidiske likely comes from the Arabic "al-ẓamīdīka," meaning "the little shield." The IAU adopted the name in 2017.
Fun Facts
Azmidiske's stellar wind blows with one of the higher mass-loss rates among nearby G-type supergiants, gradually stripping matter from the star. Its position within the rich Puppis-Vela star-forming region places it near the subtle glow of the Vela Supernova Remnant.
Observe
1Physical Properties
2Position & Identifiers
3How easy to spot?
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Easy | Easy | Medium+ |
| 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
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
5Survey Image
Loading survey image…
Explore
7
Size Comparison
8
Compare Stars
9
Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
11
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.
Explore Nightbase
Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.
