Canis Minor constellation
Canis Minor (the Little Dog) is a constellation on the celestial equator, best seen in the evening in February. Its brightest star is Procyon (magnitude 0.38). Canis Minor covers 183 square degrees and is the 71st-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Canis Minor
Facts
| Latin name | Canis Minor (genitive: Canis Minoris) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | CMi |
| Meaning | the Little Dog |
| Area | 183 square degrees (71st of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 7.6 h, declination +6° |
| Visible from | latitudes 90° N to 77° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | February (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Procyon |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 25 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 2 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Cancer, Gemini, Hydra, Monoceros |
How to find Canis Minor
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in February evenings: at about 9 pm Canis Minor stands highest, around 56° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 49° above the horizon. The months before and after (January and March) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Canis Minor borders Cancer, Gemini, Hydra and Monoceros.
Asterisms with stars in Canis Minor: Winter Triangle, Winter Hexagon.
Stars of Canis Minor
Canis Minor has 25 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procyon | α Canis Minoris | 0.38 | F5IV-V | 11 ly |
| Gomeisa | β Canis Minoris | 2.9 | B8Ve | 160 ly |
| — | γ Canis Minoris | 4.32 | K3-IIIFe-0.5 | — |
| — | HR 3145 | 4.39 | K2III | — |
Printable Canis Minor map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Canis Minor figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Canis Minor is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the Almagest (2nd century AD). Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Canis Minor
What is the brightest star in Canis Minor?
Procyon, at magnitude 0.38, about 11 light-years away.
When can you see Canis Minor?
Canis Minor is best seen in the evening in February. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 90° N and 77° S.
How many stars are in Canis Minor?
25 stars in Canis Minor are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 2 of them have official IAU names.
What does Canis Minor mean?
Canis Minor means “the Little Dog” in Latin. Its abbreviation is CMi and the genitive, used in star names such as α Canis Minoris, is Canis Minoris.
