145 Canis Majoris (Winter Albireo)

145 Canis Majoris (Winter Albireo) is a double star in the constellation Canis Major, magnitude 5.0.

A wide, colorful pair: an orange supergiant and a yellow-white companion, nicknamed the Winter Albireo. Its components (magnitudes 5.0 and 5.8; spectral types K3 Ib (orange) and F0 (yellow-white)) lie 26.5″ apart at PA 50° (measured 2020).

When and where to see it

It is best placed in the evening sky around February, when it crosses the meridian at about 10 pm local time (around midnight in January). It can be seen from everywhere south of 67°N and never sets south of 67°S.

At its highest it stands 17° up from 50°N, 32° up from 35°N, 67° up from the equator, 78° up from 35°S.

Facts

Type

Double star

Constellation

Canis Major

Designations

Winter Albireo, 145 CMa, HJ 3945, HIP 35210

Magnitude

5.0

Position

RA 7h 16.6m, Dec −23° 19′ (J2000)

Open AstroPilot to see when 145 Canis Majoris (Winter Albireo) is highest tonight from your location, how easy it is with your telescope or binoculars, and an eyepiece view.