Canopus ( Agastya) star

we can see the Second brightest star Canopus  in the night sky in the direction of South west.Even though the constellation it belongs i.e Carina is not visible , we can easily see it as it is visible very bright after Sirius (which is brightest star in the night sky) and it is nearer (lower left ) to Sirius and it's constellation CanisMajor .

Physical Properties :

• essentially white when seen with naked eye
• canopus is undergoing core helium burning and is currently in the Blue loop phase of its evolution , having already passed through red giant branch after exhausting the hydrogen in its core.
• has eight times the mass of sun 
• has expanded 71 times the sun's radius.
• radiating over 10,000 times the luminosity of the sun.
• canopus is a X-ray source ,which is likely being emitted from its corona.
• 310 light years distant from solar system.
• Surface temperature is about 7,350k

Observations :

• visible at 200 degree Southwest 
• Rise : 12:51pm
• Best visible at : 7:01pm
• Set : 10:32pm
• It is a Circumpolar Star.                                   (read more ...circumpolarity of star)
• In the constellation Carina 

Indian Astronomy :

• Canopus is also called as Agastya or Agasti in Indian Astronomy( Agastya is one of the most famous rishis. Agastya literally means 'one who shunned the Growth of the Mountain Vindhya'.He was a Brahmarsi . He was a man of vast knowledge and severe Austerity .he is said to have destroyed the demons ilvala and Vatapi.)
• Helical rising and setting of Agastya or canopus is explained in Bhāskara’s Karanakutuhalam (KK),Brihat Samhitā,Grahalāghavam procedure

                                                                                                                                                  -PVGANIGA

Reff :

• Wikipedia 
•  Helical rising of Canopus in Indian astronomy .Indian journal of history of science(2016) S Balachandra Rao,Rupa K,Padmaja venugopal 

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