Constellation The Hunting Dogs

Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs): gift, map and visability

  • Meaning: The Hunting Dogs
  • Best seen in: May
  • Family: Ursa Major
  • Latitude: +90° to -40°

Canes Venatici or The Hunting Dogs is one of the 88 constellations modern astronomers have divided the sky into. It's part of the Ursa Major constellation family. Canes Venatici is best seen in May (from latitudes +90° to -40°).

Canes Venatici represents a pair of hounds held on a lead by Boötes, snapping at the heels of the Great Bear. This constellation has five main stars and five Messiers. The constellation’s two brightest stars, Alpha and Beta Canum Venaticorum, lie in the southern dog. In the 17th century, Hevelius defined the dogs in the night sky. He named the Northern dog Asterion, which in Greek means “little star” and the Southern one was called Chara for ‘joy’.

Canes Venatici Constellation Map

Canes Venatici Constellation Map
Canes Venatici icon

Main Stars in The Hunting Dogs (Canes Venatici)

The constellation Canes Venatici contains several bright stars that make up its shape. Some of these main stars are known as:

  • Cor Caroli
  • Chara
  • La Superba
  • AM Canum Venaticorum
  • RS Canum Venaticorum

Some of the deep sky objects which have been discovered in Canes Venatici include: Messier 3, Whirlpool Galaxy, Sunflower Galaxy, Messier 94, Messier 106, Whale Galaxy, NGC 5033.

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88 constellations: Find out more about each of the 88 constellations and the 12 zodiacs!
Constellation facts about Canes Venatici

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