We use cookies to deliver essential features and to measure their performance. By using this site you accept our Privacy Policies.
A Complete Guide to the Solar System and the Night Sky
Help keep this site free and ads-free! Donate Now!
public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 5:55  
clear_day Transit: 12:57  
SunsetSet: 20:00
sleep NighttimeWhat's Visible Now?
All Constellations » Canis Minor » 

γ Canis Minoris (gamma Canis Minoris)

Altitude: 26.2°   Azimuth: 250.2°   Direction: West-South-West

γ Canis Minoris is a multiple giant star in the constellation of Canis Minor.

γ Canis Minoris visual magnitude is 4.32. Because of its moderate brightness, γ Canis Minoris should be easily visible from locations with dark skies, while it can be barely visible, or not visible at all, from skies affected by light pollution.

The proper motion of γ Canis Minoris is -0.062 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and 0.017 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 10000 years is represented with the red arrow.

Image of γ Canis Minoris (gamma Canis Minoris) star
DSS2 image of γ Canis Minoris. The red arrow shows the motion of γ Canis Minoris during the next 10000 years (-10.33 arcmin in Right Ascension and 2.83 arcmin in declination);

Key facts about γ Canis Minoris

4.32
Giant

γ Canis Minoris (gamma Canis Minoris) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt.

Altitude: 26.2°
Azimuth: 250.2°
Direction: West-South-West

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of γ Canis Minoris

γ Canis Minoris is situated close to the celestial equator, as such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of γ Canis Minoris are provided in the following table:

07h 28m 09s
+08° 55’ 32”
209.05°
12.18°
Canis Minor

The simplified sky map below shows the position of γ Canis Minoris in the sky:

Finder chart γ Canis Minoris (gamma Canis Minoris) star
Simplified finder chart for γ Canis Minoris (gamma Canis Minoris).

Visibility of γ Canis Minoris from your location

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

Today's γ Canis Minoris (gamma Canis Minoris) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

Azimuth: 81.1°
Max altitude: 47.4°
Azimuth: 278.9°

Distance of γ Canis Minoris from the Sun and relative movement

γ Canis Minoris is distant 397.56 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 47 kilometers per second.

121.95 pc
397.56 ly
47 km/s
-0.062 arcsec/year
0.017 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of γ Canis Minoris

γ Canis Minoris belongs to spectral class K3 and has a luminosity class of III corresponding to a giant star.

-1.11
K3III
3902K

The red dot in the diagram below shows where γ Canis Minoris is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

HR Diagram
H-R diagram showing the position of γ Canis Minoris. Attribution: Richard Powell / CC BY-SA

γ Canis Minoris star system properties

γ Canis Minoris is a visual double star which can be observed with the help of small or medium telescopes. The table below shows key information about the γ Canis Minoris double sysyem:

4.32
10.22
5.9
130 arcsec

Alternative designations of γ Canis Minoris

γ Canis Minoris
(gamma Canis Minoris)
4 Canis Minoris
SAO115478
SAO115478