Beta Lupi — Star in Lupus
About Beta Lup
Description
Beta Lupi is a blue giant of spectral type B2III at magnitude 2.68, the second brightest star in Lupus. Located about 383 light-years from Earth, it has a luminosity of roughly 8,400 times solar. It is a Beta Cephei variable with a very small pulsation amplitude.
Observing Tips
Beta Lup lies near the center of Lupus, between Alpha Lup and the stars of the southern constellation Norma. It appears as a blue-white star in a rich region of the southern Milky Way. Only visible from the southern hemisphere and low northern latitudes. Best observed May through July.
History
Beta Lupi has no traditional proper name. Lupus lies in a rich area of the Milky Way adjacent to Centaurus and Scorpius. It is one of several bright B-type stars in Lupus that belong to the Scorpius-Centaurus OB association.
Fun Facts
Lupus contains an unusually high concentration of bright blue stars for a relatively small constellation, due to the nearby Scorpius-Centaurus association — the nearest OB association to the Sun.
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
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
5Survey Image
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Explore
7
Size Comparison
8
Compare Stars
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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.
