The AsterNym star registry
Aludra
Aludra: the blue star of Canis Major
blue · Canis Major · η CMa
Aludra is a blue star in the constellation Canis Major, one of the few thousand stars bright enough to carry an officially recognised name. On a dark, clear night you can find it with your own eyes.
Most stars in the sky are anonymous points of light. Aludra is not — it has held a name across generations of sky-watchers, which makes it a rare thing to attach a name of your own to.
Real star · Personal dedication · Recorded in the AsterNym registry
See what a dedicated page looks like — preview
Aludra at a glance
- Constellation
- Canis Major
- Other name
- η CMa
- Catalogue number
- HIP 35904
- Distance
- ≈ 2,000 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 2.45 naked-eye
- Star type
- B5 Ia
- Colour
- blue
- Best seen from
- The Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 07h 24m 06s
- Declination
- −29° 18′ 11″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Aludra dedication represent?
Aludra is especially meaningful for someone who:
- · Deserves something older than any gift shop
- · Marks a beginning, an anniversary or a promise
- · Is remembered every time you look up
- · Has a light you want recorded somewhere permanent
Dedication idea
“For the one I think of when I find Canis Major in the sky.”
Where can you see Aludra?
It is easy to see from much of the Southern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower northern latitudes, but it never rises for observers north of about latitude 61°N.
Aludra belongs to Canis Major.
Dedicate Aludra to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Aludra dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Aludra's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Aludra keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Aludra
- Is Aludra the brightest star?
- Aludra shines at magnitude 2.45 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Aludra?
- Aludra is approximately 2,000 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 2,000 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Aludra?
- Aludra is part of Canis Major.
- Can everyone see Aludra?
- It is easy to see from much of the Southern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower northern latitudes, but it never rises for observers north of about latitude 61°N.
- Is dedicating Aludra an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Aludra keeps its internationally recognised astronomical name. An AsterNym dedication records your personal name and message in the AsterNym registry without changing the star's scientific identity.