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Beta Monocerotis, Steven Bellavia

Beta Monocerotis

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Beta Monocerotis, Steven Bellavia

Beta Monocerotis

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Description

Beta Monocerotis is a triple star system in the constellation of Monoceros. To the naked eye, it appears as a single star with an apparent visual magnitude of approximately 3.74, making it the brightest visible star in the constellation. A telescope shows a curved line of three pale blue stars. William Herschel who discovered it in 1781 commented that it is "one of the most beautiful sights in the heavens". It is approximately 700 light years away. Beta Monocerotis is classified as a variable star, although it is unclear which of the three components causes the brightness changes. The magnitude range is given as 3.77 to 3.84 in the Hipparcos photometric band.

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Beta Monocerotis, Steven Bellavia

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