S Carinae — Variable Star in Carina
Showpiece (82/100)
Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
5.60
Range
4.50 - 9.90
Period
150 days
Variable Type
Mira (Long-period Pulsating)
Spectral Type
M2-3IIIe
Star Color
Red
(B-V 1.60)
2Position & Identifiers
RA
10h 09m 21.9s
Dec
-61° 32' 57.0"
Constellation
Carina
(Car)
HR
3999
HIP
49751
HD
88366
SAO
250840
Variable ID
S Car
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3How easy to follow?
Magnitude
4.5 – 9.9 mag
Amplitude
5.4 mag
Period
149.6 d
Type
M
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| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Imp. | Imp. | Imp. |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Hard+ | Hard | Hard |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Medium+ |
Easy
Medium
Hard
Very hard
Impossible
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Best season
Jan – Mar
(peak: Feb)
5Survey Image
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6Light Curve
7Comparison Stars for S Car (4.5–9.9)
Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)
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Explore
8
Size Comparison
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9
Compare Stars
10
Spectral Classification
11
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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12
Stellar Lifecycle
13
Blackbody Spectrum
14
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
15
Stellar Fusion
Discover
16Stellar Notes
M 4.5 - 9.9v, 149.49d.
Also classified K5e-M6e.
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.
NGC 3114
Rich open cluster
Open Cluster
mag 4.2
1.6°
Carina
l Car
Pulsating variable, period 35.6d
Variable Star
mag 3.69
3.0°
Carina
R Car
Mira-type variable, range 3.9–10.1
Variable Star
mag 6.10
4.5°
Carina
NGC 3372
eta Car nebula
Emission nebula — try an OIII filter
Emission Nebula
mag 3.00
4.5°
Carina
U Car
Pulsating variable, period 38.8d
Variable Star
mag 6.11
6.2°
Carina
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