Canis Minor constellation
Canis Minor is a constellation near the celestial equator. Its brightest star is Procyon. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.
- Winterbest seen
- Procyonbrightest star, magnitude 0.4
- CMiCanis Minor
How to find the constellation Canis Minor
Bright Procyon lies east of Orion. Together with Betelgeuse and Sirius it forms the Winter Triangle.
Best seen in winter: in February around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 45°.
| Location | Visibility |
|---|---|
| 40° NMadrid, New York, Beijing | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsaw | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg | rises and sets, fully visible |
Bright stars of the constellation
| Star | Magnitude | Color | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procyonα Canis Minoris | 0.4 | white | about 11.5 light years |
| Gomeisaβ Canis Minoris | 2.9 | bluish white | — |
| γ Canis Minoris | 4.3 | orange | — |
| G Canis Minoris | 4.4 | orange | — |
| 6 Canis Minoris | 4.5 | orange | — |
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 Canis Minor in the sky?
Bright Procyon lies east of Orion. Together with Betelgeuse and Sirius it forms the Winter Triangle.
When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Canis Minor?
In winter: in February around 22:00 the constellation is highest above the horizon. Two or three months earlier it can be seen before dawn, two or three months later only in the early evening, and half a year later it is in the sky during the day, near the Sun, and can’t be seen.
What is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor?
Procyon: magnitude 0.4, white. Distance: about 11.5 light years.
How many stars are there in the constellation Canis Minor?
With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 25 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.