Beta Canis Majoris, also known as Mirzam, is a bright star located in the constellation Canis Major. It is approximately 500 light-years away from Earth and is classified as a blue giant. With a surface temperature of around 20,000 Kelvin, it shines with a luminosity about 3,000 times greater than that of the Sun. Mirzam is notable for its role as a navigational star and is often used in celestial navigation. It is also part of the Winter Hexagon, a prominent asterism in the night sky. Its name, derived from Arabic, means "the announcer," reflecting its position as a herald of the rising of other stars.