For these of us within the Northern Hemisphere, winter is the perfect time to look at the constellation Canis Major the Higher Canine. It’s simple to search out because it follows Orion the Hunter up from the horizon, heading from southeast to southwest. Additionally, Sirius is the brightest star not solely in Canis Main however in the whole sky. The very fact is, it’s so vibrant in our sky as a result of it’s one of many closest stars to Earth, at 8.6 light-years away.
The mythology of Canis Main
Canis Main is the Higher Canine, one in every of Orion’s two searching canine that comply with him within the sky. Likewise, Canis Minor the Lesser Canine additionally has a vibrant star – the eighth brightest within the sky – Procyon. The mythological story says that the 2 canine are pursuing a rabbit, and, certainly, the constellation Lepus the Hare is near Canis Main and slightly below the ft of Orion.
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Discovering Sirius and Canis Main
Conveniently, Canis Main is straightforward to search out. Its vibrant star Sirius and placement close to Orion make it one of many best constellations to identify within the night time sky. On winter evenings within the Northern Hemisphere, Orion rises first from the southeastern horizon, and vibrant Sirius anchoring Canis Main follows. As well as, Sirius marks the situation of the Higher Canine’s collar. The top is a dimmer triangle, however vibrant stars mark his entrance foot and his rear flank and tail.
The celebrities of Canis Main
Sirius holds the nickname of the Canine Star as a result of it lies within the constellation of the Higher Canine. At magnitude -1.44, it outshines each different star within the sky as seen from Earth. Sirius, which additionally has the extra formal title of Alpha Canis Majoris, is a binary star system. Sirius A is the youthful, hotter and brighter star, with Sirius B enjoying the a part of the dim companion.
Correspondingly, the second brightest star in Canis Main is towards the again portion of the canine, the place its hind leg would join with its physique. This star is Adhara, also referred to as Epsilon Canis Majoris, a magnitude 1.5 beacon mendacity 430 light-years away. After which, simply above on the Higher Canine’s physique, the place the tail connects to the torso, is Wezen, also referred to as Delta Canis Majoris, a magnitude 1.83 star that might be a lot brighter than Sirius if it had been nearer. Wezen lies about 1,800 light-years away.
The fourth brightest star in Canis Main is 5 1/2 degrees from Sirius, marking the entrance foot of the canine. This star is Mirzam (Beta Canis Majoris), a magnitude 1.98 star. It’s about 500 light-years distant. Lastly, the final vibrant star in Canis Main is again towards the rear of the canine. Aludra (Eta Canis Majoris), at magnitude 2.45, marks the tip of the Canine’s tail. As a matter of reality, it lies farther away than all the opposite vibrant stars in Canis Main, at 3,000 light-years.
As well as, three stars kind a triangle close to Sirius and mark the Canine’s head. They’re greatest seen from dark skies. They vary in magnitude from 4.0 to 4.3.
Deep-sky objects within the Higher Canine
There is just one Messier object in Canis Main, and that’s M41. M41 is a comparatively vibrant open cluster that shines with a magnitude of 4.5. The cluster lies about 4 levels from Sirius, within the normal location of what could be the Canine’s coronary heart. After all, it is best to have the ability to spot it with none optical assist, however binoculars enhance the view.
Additionally, there’s a fairly nebula in Canis Main that’s lovely in astrophotos, even when it’s too distant and dim so that you can see via binoculars. Within the nook of the constellation above the canine’s head, nearly 9 levels northeast of Sirius, is NGC 2359, or Thor’s Helmet. This strange-looking nebula has a large Wolf-Rayet star at its core. The nebula has a central bubble form, with appendage-like tentacles streaming out on numerous sides. Mendacity about 15,000 light-years away, this nebula has a magnitude of 11.45, a great problem for telescope homeowners.
Backside line: Canis Main the Higher Canine is most well-known for being house to the brightest star within the sky, Sirius. After all, you possibly can’t miss Sirius within the night sky.
