White subgiant · Carina

Miaplacidus

Also known as: β Carinae (β Car), HIP 45238

mag 1.7110 light-years

About

Miaplacidus (β Carinae) is a white subgiant of magnitude 1.7 in Carina, about 110 light-years away.

Miaplacidus is in the constellation Carina.
Best evenings: around late March it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from south of 10° N.
Star patterns: Diamond Cross.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesEasy, even from town.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Miaplacidus
Designation	β Carinae (β Car)
Hipparcos number	HIP 45238
Type	White subgiant
Spectral type	A2IV
Colour	WhiteB−V colour index 0.07
Magnitude	1.7The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	110 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1910.
Proper motion	0.19″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Carina
Right ascension (J2000)	09h 13m 12.1s
Declination (J2000)	−69° 43′ 02″