Nganurganity — Star in Canis Major
HIP 33856; Sigma Canis Majoris; 22 Canis Majoris
About Nganurganity
Description
Nganurganity, Sigma Canis Majoris, is a K-type supergiant of spectral class K4 III about 1,100 light-years away in the southern part of Canis Major. It shines at magnitude 3.47 and has a total luminosity of around 9,000 Suns. Sigma CMa is an irregular variable, with small-amplitude brightness variations of a few hundredths of a magnitude.
Observing Tips
Nganurganity sits in the southern parts of Canis Major, south of Adhara and east of Wezen. In binoculars its deep orange color is clearly visible. Best observed December through April; higher from southern latitudes.
History
The name Nganurganity comes from the Wardaman language of the Northern Territory of Australia, meaning "the bird with a necklace" — an Aboriginal Australian astronomical name. The IAU adopted the name in 2017 as part of the Working Group's effort to include indigenous star names from around the world.
Fun Facts
Nganurganity is one of a handful of IAU-recognized star names from Aboriginal Australian tradition, alongside Unurgunite (Sigma CMa in some earlier catalogs; the two names are sometimes conflated). Australian indigenous astronomy has some of the oldest continuous astronomical traditions on Earth, dating back tens of thousands of years.
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
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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
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Blackbody Spectrum
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Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
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Stellar Fusion
Discover
15Stellar Notes
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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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