ξ1 Canis Majoris is a blue-white B-type star. It has generally been assigned a luminosity class of III (giant) or IV (subgiant), for example B1III[3] or B0.5IV.[6] 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.[6]
The apparent magnitude varies from +4.33 to +4.36 with a period of 5.03 hours.[2] Its pulsations cause its radius to vary by 1.0% to 1.5%. At the same time its effective temperature by about 500 K above and below its mean temperature.[6]
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.[9] 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.[6]
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 27″ away.[10] 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.[6]
^ abJohnson, H. L.; et al. (1966). "UBVRIJKL photometry of the bright stars". Communications of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. 4 (99): 99. Bibcode:1966CoLPL...4...99J.
^Evans, D. S. (June 20–24, 1966). "The Revision of the General Catalogue of Radial Velocities". In Batten, Alan Henry; Heard, John Frederick (eds.). Determination of Radial Velocities and their Applications, Proceedings from IAU Symposium no. 30. Determination of Radial Velocities and Their Applications. Vol. 30. p. 57. Bibcode:1967IAUS...30...57E.