6.53
Apparent Mag300
Distance (ly)M7IIIe
Spectral Type2,918
Temperature (K)Mira is the prototype of long-period variable stars. It varies from magnitude 2 to 10 over about 332 days, alternately visible and invisible to the naked eye.
Stellar Data
Apparent Magnitude6.53
Absolute Magnitude-0.35
Distance300 light-years
Spectral TypeM7IIIe
Temperature2,918 K
Luminosity8,400 L☉
Radius400 R☉
Mass1.18 M☉
Right Ascension02h 19m 20.8s
Declination-02° 58′ 39.5″
ConstellationCetus
Notable Facts
- Mira varies from magnitude 2 to 10 over its cycle
- It was the first non-supernova variable star discovered in 1596
- NASA revealed a comet-like tail 13 light-years long behind Mira