Canis Major
The greater dog. Genitive Canis Majoris, abbreviated CMa. Introduced by Ptolemy.
Area
380.12 sq°
43 of 88 by size
Brightest star
α Canis Majoris
magnitude −1.46
Best seen
January
on the meridian at midnight
Visible from
79°N to 90°S
some part above the horizon
Where it is
Principal stars
Every star to magnitude 4, brightest first.
| Star | Magnitude | HR |
|---|---|---|
| α Canis Majoris | −1.46 | 2491 |
| ε Canis Majoris | 1.50 | 2618 |
| δ Canis Majoris | 1.84 | 2693 |
| β Canis Majoris | 1.98 | 2294 |
| η Canis Majoris | 2.45 | 2827 |
| ζ Canis Majoris | 3.02 | 2282 |
| ο2 Canis Majoris | 3.02 | 2653 |
| σ Canis Majoris | 3.47 | 2646 |
| ω Canis Majoris | 3.85 | 2749 |
| ο1 Canis Majoris | 3.87 | 2580 |
| ν2 Canis Majoris | 3.95 | 2429 |
| κ Canis Majoris | 3.96 | 2538 |
Deep sky
Objects with a Messier number or a name people use.
| Object | Catalogue | Type | Magnitude | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M41 | NGC 2287 | Open cluster | 4.5 | 38.0 |
- Magnitude: — where NGC 2000 gives none.
- Size: the largest dimension, in arcminutes.
My Sky
Rise, highest and set over your place, for any night: Canis Major
Further info
Sources
Principal stars: Bright Star Catalogue
Deep sky: NGC 2000.0
Area and borders: IAU constellation boundaries
