Beta Canis Majoris star (b CMa star) |
A type of giant B star that shows short-period variations in brightness and in its spectrum. These stars are variable because they pulsate. Their periods are under seven hours, and the light variation is no more than a tenth of a magnitude. The first such star to be discovered was Beta Cephei, and members of this class of variables are also known as Beta Cephei stars. |