Procyon

Procyon (α Canis Minoris) is a yellow-white subgiant star in the constellation Canis Minor. With an apparent magnitude of 0.38 it is the 8th-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 11 light-years from Earth.

Finder chart showing where Procyon is in the constellation Canis Minor
Procyon (circled) in Canis Minor, with the surrounding constellations and bright stars.
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Facts

ConstellationCanis Minor
Designationα Canis Minoris (Alpha Canis Minoris), HR 2943
Apparent magnitude0.38 (8th brightest)
Spectral typeF5IV-V
Coloryellow-white (B−V 0.42)
Distanceabout 11 light-years
Right ascension7 h 39.3 min
Declination+5.23°
Best monthMarch (at about 9 pm)

Sources: star positions, magnitudes and colors from the Yale Bright Star Catalogue; constellation boundaries and star names from the IAU; areas and distances from Wikidata; stick figures by M. van der Sluys. How the maps are made.

How to find Procyon

Procyon is in Canis Minor. From 40° N it is highest in the south in March evenings, about 55° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 50° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Alhena (19° away), Pollux (23° away) and Sirius (26° away).

Canis Minor constellation →

Other named stars in Canis Minor

Gomeisa

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