| Eta Canis Majoris |
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name=Eta Canis Majoris }}
Eta Canis Majoris (η CMa / η Canis Majoris) is a star in the Constellation Canis Major . It also has the traditional name '''Aludra'''. Aludra shines brightly in the skies in spite of a large distance from Earth due to being intrinsically many times brighter ( Absolute Magnitude ) than the Sun . A blue Supergiant , Aludra has only been around a fraction of the time our Sun has, yet is already in the last stages of its life. It is still expanding and may be becoming a red supergiant, or perhaps has already passed that phase, but in either case it will go Supernova within the next few million years. The name Aludra originates from the / Astronomer s referred to a group of four stars in the Canis Major constellation, also known as the "Greater Dog", as ''Al 'Adhara'' "the virgins". |