Canis Major

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Related to Canis Major: Sirius

Canis Major

Canis Major (kāˈnĭs) [Lat.,=greater dog], constellation lying near the celestial equator, SE of Orion. Known as the Large Dog (Canis Minor is the Small Dog), it was associated with the figure of a dog by many cultures; the ancient Greeks identified it as one of Orion's hunting dogs, while the Scandinavians called it Sigurd's dog. It contains Sirius, the brightest star in the heavens, also known as the Dog Star. Other bright stars in Canis Major are Adhara (Epsilon Canis Majoris), Mirzam (Beta Canis Majoris), and Wezen (Delta Canis Majoris). The constellation reaches its highest point in the evening sky in February.

Canis Major

(kay -niss) (Great Dog) A conspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere, lying partly in the Milky Way. The brightest stars are Sirius (α), the second brightest star in the sky (after the Sun) and one of the nearest stars to our Solar System; the 1st-magnitude giant Adhara (∊); and the giant Mirzam (β) and supergiant Wezen (δ), both close to 2nd magnitude and very remote and luminous. The area contains the open cluster M41 (NGC 2287). Another cluster, NGC 2362, apparently centered on Tau (τ) Canis Majoris, makes an interesting telescopic sight. Abbrev.: CMa; genitive form: Canis Majoris; approx. position: RA 7h, dec –20°; area: 380 sq deg.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Canis Major

a constellation in the southern hemisphere, whose brightest star, Sirius, has a visual stellar magnitude of -1.4. Best visibility conditions occur in December and January. Canis Major is visible in the central and southern regions of the USSR.

Canis Major

[‚kā·nəs ′mā·jər]

(astronomy)

A constellation with right ascension 7 hours, declination 20°S. Abbreviated CMa. Also known as Greater Dog.

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References in periodicals archive ?

Don't let Sirius distract you from the rest of Canis Major! For instance, Canis Major offers a fine open star cluster just 4[degrees] south of (below) Sirius, in the same binocular field of view.

February * Sirius matters: there's plenty to see whenever the dog star lights the evening

The nebula adjoining the star HD 44179 is situated just one degree north of the boundary with Canis Major. The Red Rectangle ranks right up as one of the most difficult objects ever to discern--barely 30" north-east of the indicated star.

Mythical monoceros--unicorn of the skies

Columbia: A small, faint constellation, it is more inconspicuous that its larger neighbours Canis Major and Lepus.

Stargazing Chart; How to use this 360[bar] view The map shows how the skies above South Wales will look at 10pm tonight. Just face south and hold the map up. You should see the stars in these positions

Whilst in Canis Major, lets not forget to look at Sirius, and see if perhaps its companion, the 'pup' as it is sometimes known, can be seen.

Sky notes: 2010 February and March

Brophy will be showcasing his Canis Major Series of big beers, along with some other adventurous beers over the course of the Big Beers Festival.

Big beers return to Vail

Another 34 poster papers are included on topics that include using stellar photospheres as chronometers for studying disk evolution, the Canis Major over-density, and the impact of cosmic rays on Population III star formation.

New horizons in astronomy; proceedings

The stars are both "very large bright stars" in the constellation of canis major.

MY 2 LITTLE STARS; Tragic boys' mum overwhelmed by reader's gift

In August, ancient Egyptians watched the bright star Sirius rise just before dawn in the constellation Canis Major, which means "big dog." They called these hottest days of summer "The Dog Days." You can celebrate with a "Dog Days of Summer" party.

Dog days of summer-party

It is Sirius in Canis Major who is the greater dog and he trots after his master's heels to the left and below Saiph.

Our ancestors were more attuned to the passing of the seasons; Astronomical notes for December by Gill Pilfold of the Birmingham Astronomical Society

The brightest star is Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major (the Great Dog), with a magnitude of -1.4.

Constellations

My study window Faces east, out over the meadow, And I see this morning That the sheep have scattered On the hillside, their white shapes Making the pattern of the stars In Canis Major, the constellation Around Sirius, the Dog Star, Whom my father when we were small Used to point out, calling it For some reason I forget Little Dog Peppermint.

Byways

THE Canis Major Newfoundland Water Rescue display team will be making a splash at Northwich River Festival at the weekend.