Optical image of the star Sirius
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Optical image of the star Sirius
Sirius. Optical image of the star Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, with the exception of the Sun. North is at top. Sirius (Alpha Canis Majoris), also known as the Dog Star, lies in the constellation of Canis Major. It has a visual magnitude of -1.46. It is itself a fairly average star, however, and only appears so bright due to its proximity to Earth. It lies around 8.6 light years away, making it the 9th nearest star to the Sun. Sirius is actually a double star. It has a very faint companion, Sirius B, which is a white dwarf. Sirius itself has the spectral class A1, meaning it is a very hot white star, with a surface temperature around 10, 000 degrees Celsius
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Media ID 6445431
© JOHN SANFORD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Binary Star Cosmology Double Star Sirius Star Stellar
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the mesmerizing beauty of Sirius, the brightest star in our night sky after the Sun. With its striking optical image, we are transported into the vastness of space where this celestial wonder resides. Positioned at the top, North guiding our gaze, Sirius (also known as Alpha Canis Majoris or the Dog Star) is nestled within the constellation of Canis Major. Despite its brilliance, Sirius is actually an average star that appears exceptionally bright due to its proximity to Earth. Located approximately 8.6 light years away from us, it proudly claims its position as the ninth nearest star to our Sun. However, there's more than meets the eye with Sirius; it unveils itself as a double star system. Accompanying this radiant entity is a faint companion called Sirius B—a white dwarf that adds intrigue and complexity to this stellar duo. The primary star itself possesses a scorching surface temperature of around 10,000 degrees Celsius and belongs to spectral class A1—characterized by being an intensely hot white star. As we delve deeper into cosmology and explore these celestial wonders captured by Science Photo Library's lens, let us marvel at their grandeur while contemplating humanity's place in this vast universe.
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