Nu3 Canis Majoris

Nu³ Canis Majoris is a binary star system in the southern constellation of Canis Major. Its name is a Bayer designation that is Latinized from ν³ Canis Majoris, and abbreviated Nu³ CMa or ν³ CMa. The star system, appearing as one star, is deemed visible to the naked eye with its combined apparent visual magnitude of 4.41. Based upon an annual parallax shift of as seen from Earth, this system is approximately distant from the Sun.

Characteristics

The primary member, component A, is an evolved, orange-hued giant/bright giant hybrid with an apparent magnitude of +4.63 and a stellar classification of K0 II-III. It is most likely on the horizontal branch, which would indicate it is generated energy through helium fusion at its core. The star has a moderate level of surface activity with a magnetic field strength of and is a source of X-ray emission with a luminosity of.
This giant has an estimated 3.4 times the mass of the Sun and has expanded to 33 times the Sun's radius. It is radiating 398 times the Sun's luminosity from its enlarged photosphere at an effective temperature of 4,510 K. The star is spinning with the leisurely period of 183 days. Its companion, component B has been observed at 1.040 arcseconds distant along a position angle of 2.9° as of 2002, and has an apparent magnitude of +8.56.