Canis Major
Main Stars: 8
Position in the Sky
- Right Ascension: 7h
- Declination: -20 Degrees
- Visible between latitudes 60 and -90 degrees
- Best seen in February (at 9:00 PM)
Named Stars
- Sirius (Alpha CMa)
- Murzim (Beta CMa)
- Muliphen (Gamma CMa)
- Wezen (Delta CMa)
- Adara (Epsilon CMa)
- Furud (Zeta CMa)
- Aludra (Eta CMa)
Messier Objects
- M41 - Open cluster
Meteor Showers
- None
Mythology
Not much is written of Canis Major in the ways of mythology. It is told by Eratosthenes and Hyginus that Canis Major symbolizes Laelaps, a dog of incredible speed. One story tells of Zeus giving the dog to Europa, whose son, Minos passed it on to Procris. Lealaps was given to Procris along with a magical javelin which could never miss its target. Her husband, Cephalus used the javelin for hunting, and accidentally killed Procris with it. Cephalus took the dog and traveled to Thebes, where it happened that a fox was ravaging the countryside. Caphalus set Lealaps upon the fox, but the fox always remained just out of reach of the dog's bite. Zeus, seeing no end to the chase set both animals to stone, and placed Laelaps among the stars.
Canis Major is also seen as a hunting companion to Orion; assisting him with fighting Taurus, or chasing Lepus, the hare.
You may find it interesting that the term "dog days of summer" originates from this constellation, particularly Sirius. The Europeans and ancient Romans looked to Sirius rising just before the Sun to signal the start of the hot summer days (July - August). Sirius, being the brightest star in the sky, was thought to be the source of the summer heat. The ancient Egyptians associated with Sirius with the flooding of the Nile, and therefore noted Sirius a star of great importance.
Canis Major is also seen as a hunting companion to Orion; assisting him with fighting Taurus, or chasing Lepus, the hare.
You may find it interesting that the term "dog days of summer" originates from this constellation, particularly Sirius. The Europeans and ancient Romans looked to Sirius rising just before the Sun to signal the start of the hot summer days (July - August). Sirius, being the brightest star in the sky, was thought to be the source of the summer heat. The ancient Egyptians associated with Sirius with the flooding of the Nile, and therefore noted Sirius a star of great importance.
Features
If locating Orion is easy, finding Canis Major is even easier. When looking to the southern sky, your eyes should easily fall upon Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Sirius represents the nose of Canis Major in some art, and in others it sits along the dog's breast. In the images I provide here, Sirius marks the dog's breast, with his triangular head just above.
This constellation is simple and beautiful. It's lines are not complex, and is easy to identify. The Milky Way flows right through Canis Major, which is beautiful in and of itself, but it blocks out any other deep sky objects that may otherwise be visible on the other side of our galaxy. M41, the open cluster is visible though, and may be to the unaided eye. This is the only Messier object in this constellation. I enjoy looking to Canis Major because you don't need a telescope to appreciate all of its beauty.
If locating Orion is easy, finding Canis Major is even easier. When looking to the southern sky, your eyes should easily fall upon Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Sirius represents the nose of Canis Major in some art, and in others it sits along the dog's breast. In the images I provide here, Sirius marks the dog's breast, with his triangular head just above.
This constellation is simple and beautiful. It's lines are not complex, and is easy to identify. The Milky Way flows right through Canis Major, which is beautiful in and of itself, but it blocks out any other deep sky objects that may otherwise be visible on the other side of our galaxy. M41, the open cluster is visible though, and may be to the unaided eye. This is the only Messier object in this constellation. I enjoy looking to Canis Major because you don't need a telescope to appreciate all of its beauty.
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