Furud — Star in Canis Major
HIP 30122; Zeta Canis Majoris; 1 Canis Majoris
About Furud
Description
Furud, Zeta Canis Majoris, is a B-type main-sequence star of spectral class B2.5 V about 362 light-years away — one of the southern stars of Canis Major. It is a Beta Cephei-type pulsating variable with a primary pulsation period of about 3 hours and extremely small amplitude. Furud is a known spectroscopic binary with an unresolved companion. Combined magnitude is 3.02.
Observing Tips
Furud lies south of Sirius in Canis Major, in a region of sky rich with young hot stars. It is an easy naked-eye object and a clean blue-white point in any telescope. Best observed December through April from mid-northern latitudes; high at southern sites.
History
The name Furud comes from the Arabic "al-furūd," meaning "the bright solitary ones" — a pre-Islamic asterism for bright isolated stars in the southern region. The IAU adopted the name in 2016.
Fun Facts
Furud is one of only a few nearby Beta Cephei variables: its pulsations provide insights into the interior structure of young massive B-type stars, a topic of active study in modern asteroseismology.
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
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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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