Alpha (α) Carinae

Alpha Carinae, also known as Canopus, is the second-brightest star in the southern sky and a prominent feature in the constellation Carina. It is a supergiant star, substantially larger and more luminous than the Sun, emitting a warm, orange glow. Situated approximately 310 light-years away, Canopus is a vital navigational star for astronomers and navigators in the Southern Hemisphere. Its immense size and brightness are due to its advanced evolution, having expanded significantly after exhausting fuel in its core. Despite its distance, Canopus is easily visible to the naked eye and plays a key role in celestial observations.