Constellation The Greater Dog

Canis Major (The Greater Dog): gift, map and visability

  • Meaning: The Greater Dog
  • Best seen in: February
  • Family: Orion
  • Latitude: +60° to -90°

Canis Major or The Greater Dog is one of the 88 constellations modern astronomers have divided the sky into. It's part of the Orion constellation family. Canis Major is best seen in February (from latitudes +60° to -90°).

Sirius, popularly termed the Dog Star, the most brilliant star in the entire night sky, dominates Canis Major. A binary star, Sirius A is twice the mass of the Sun and 25 times more luminous. Canis Major is symbolized as a dog standing on its hind legs in pursuit of a rabbit. In Greek times the rising of Sirius at dawn just before the Sun marked the start of the hottest part of the summer, a time that hence became known as the Dog Days.

Canis Major Constellation Map

Canis Major Constellation Map
Canis Major icon

Main Stars in The Greater Dog (Canis Major)

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

  • Sirius
  • Adhara
  • Wezen
  • Murzim
  • Aludra
  • Tau Canis Majoris
  • Phurud

Some of the deep sky objects which have been discovered in Canis Major include: Messier 41, Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, Thor’s Helmet, NGC 2207, IC 2163.

You can now name your own star in the constellation of Canis Major in just a few clicks. Name the star, view it in 3D and look it up with the OSR Star Finder App!

Name a Star Video
88 constellations: Find out more about each of the 88 constellations and the 12 zodiacs!
Constellation facts about Canis Major

View your star with the OSR Star Finder App!

Search, locate, and gaze at your own star with the OSR Star Finder App. You can download the app for FREE in the AppStore or the Play Store!

Download on the AppStore Download in the Play Store

or read this blogpost

OSR Star Finder App