What it looks like
Canis Major is a prominent southern constellation, drawn as one of Orion's hunting dogs following at his heel. It contains Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, whose brilliance and proximity — just 8.6 light-years away — make it a landmark of winter evenings.
Brightest stars
Canis Major is dominated by Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, with three other stars brighter than magnitude 2.5.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirius (α Canis Majoris) | -1.46 | 9 ly | The Scorcher |
| Adhara (ε Canis Majoris) | +1.50 | 430 ly | The Virgins |
| Wezen (δ Canis Majoris) | +1.83 | 1,800 ly | The Weight |
| Mirzam (β Canis Majoris) | +1.98 | 500 ly | The Announcer |
| Aludra (η Canis Majoris) | +2.45 | 2,000 ly | — |
Mythology and history
In Greek myth, Canis Major is one of Orion's two hunting dogs, following at his heel across the winter sky.
Orion's hound
Canis Major represents one of the two dogs accompanying Orion the Hunter, along with Canis Minor. Some traditions identify it with Laelaps, the magical dog destined to catch whatever it pursued, which was turned to stone along with the Teumessian fox. Another tradition links it to Cerberus, the three-headed hound guarding the gates of the underworld.
The dog days
The ancient Greeks and Romans noted that Sirius rose with the Sun during the hottest weeks of summer — the 'dog days' — which they believed brought fever and drought.
How to find it
Follow the three stars of Orion's Belt down and to the left; they point straight at brilliant Sirius.
- Orion's Belt points to Sirius — the brightest star in the sky.
- Look for the triangle of Sirius, Betelgeuse and Procyon, called the Winter Triangle.
- Best on winter evenings from both hemispheres.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- CMa
- Genitive
- Canis Majoris
- Meaning
- The Great Dog
- Brightest star
- Sirius
- Main stars
- 8
- Area rank
- 43rd
- Best visible
- February
- Declination
- -20°
- Meteor showers
- —
- Neighbours
- Monoceros, Lepus, Columba, Puppis
Deep-sky objects
Canis Major contains M41, a bright open cluster about 2,300 light-years away, visible to the naked eye under dark skies. The constellation also holds several faint galaxies and the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, a disputed satellite of the Milky Way.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Canis Major look like?
Canis Major is a southern constellation known as the Great Dog, dominated by Sirius, the brightest star in the entire night sky.
What is the brightest star in Canis Major?
The brightest star in Canis Major is Sirius, shining at around magnitude -1.46.
When is Canis Major best visible?
Canis Major is best seen from both hemispheres during February.
What is the story behind Canis Major?
In Greek myth, Canis Major is one of Orion's two hunting dogs, following at his heel across the winter sky.
Which constellations are near Canis Major?
Canis Major borders Monoceros, Lepus, Columba and Puppis.
Orion
Canis Minor