NR Canis Majoris

NR Canis Majoris also known as HR 2853, HD 58954, and HIP 36186, is a Delta Scuti variable star with a spectral classification of F2V, which varies between magnitude 5.67 and 5.70 over roughly 16 hours. It is located to the east of Sirius, and east of Gamma Canis Majoris, practically on the border with Puppis.

NR Canis Majoris is 85.88 pc from the Sun, according to Hipparcos, and has a mass of 1.5 solar masses. It is about 2 billion years younger than the Sun.

NR Canis Majoris will eventually become the brightest star in the sky 2.6 million years from now to 3 million years from now, one of 4 different stars in Canis Major to hold that title (Alpha Canis Majoris, Beta Canis Majoris, and Epsilon Canis Majoris). During this period, NR Canis Majoris will be only 14 light years away and appear at -0.88 magnitude, about the same as Canopus today.