Canes Venatici constellation
Canes Venatici is a constellation of the northern sky. Its brightest star is Cor Caroli. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): never sets — visible all year round.
- Alwaysnever sets at 52° N
- Cor Carolibrightest star, magnitude 2.9
- CVnCanes Venatici
How to find the constellation Canes Venatici
A faint constellation under the handle of the Big Dipper; its most noticeable star is Cor Caroli.
Visible all year round; it is highest in the evening, around 22:00, in May, and half a year later at that time it is lowest, above the northern horizon.
| Location | Visibility |
|---|---|
| 40° NMadrid, New York, Beijing | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsaw | never sets — visible all year round |
| 60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg | never sets — visible all year round |
Bright stars of the constellation
| Star | Magnitude | Color | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cor Caroliα² Canum Venaticorum | 2.9 | blue | — |
| Charaβ Canum Venaticorum | 4.2 | yellow | — |
Magnitude is a measure of a star’s brightness: the smaller the number, the brighter the star; on a dark night the naked eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.
Questions
How do you find the constellation Canes Venatici in the sky?
A faint constellation under the handle of the Big Dipper; its most noticeable star is Cor Caroli.
When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Canes Venatici?
At mid-northern latitudes (52° N) Canes Venatici never sets and can be seen on any clear night. It is highest in the evening in spring, in May.
What is the brightest star in the constellation Canes Venatici?
Cor Caroli: magnitude 2.9, blue.
How many stars are there in the constellation Canes Venatici?
With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 33 stars in the constellation (brighter than magnitude 6, within the constellation’s boundaries). In a city far fewer: usually only the stars of its figure.