Xi1 Canis Majoris


Xi1 Canis Majoris, Latinized from ξ1 Canis Majoris, is a Beta Cephei variable star in the constellation Canis Major. It is approximately 1,400 light years from Earth.
ξ1 Canis Majoris is a blue-white B-type star. It has generally been assigned a luminosity class of III or IV, for example B1III or B0.5IV. Comparison of its properties with model evolutionary tracks suggest that it is a main sequence star about three quarters of the way through its main sequence lifetime.
The apparent magnitude varies from +4.33 to +4.36 with a period of 5.03 hours. Its pulsations cause its radius to vary by 1.0% to 1.5%. At the same time its effective temperature by about above and below its mean temperature.
ξ1 Canis Majoris has the longest known rotation period of any B class star, taking around 30 years to complete one revolution on its axis. This is thought to be due to magnetic braking; ξ1 Canis Majoris has the strongest magnetic field of any β Cephei star and would be expected to spin down completely in around four million years. It also has the strongest and hardest X-ray emission of any β Cephei star.
ξ1 Canis Majoris forms a naked eye pairing with ξ2 Canis Majoris a little less than a degree away. The Washington Double Star Catalog lists two 14th magnitude companions about away. In addition, an unseen close companion is suspected due to some faint emission lines in the spectrum that are best explained by a Be star invisible against the brighter primary.