Constellation The Smaller Dog

Canis Minor (The Smaller Dog): gift, map and visability

  • Meaning: The Smaller Dog
  • Best seen in: March
  • Family: Orion
  • Latitude: +85° to -75°

Canis Minor or The Smaller Dog is one of the 88 constellations modern astronomers have divided the sky into. It's part of the Orion constellation family. Canis Minor is best seen in March (from latitudes +85° to -75°).

Represented as a smaller dog following the hunter Orion, Canis Minor is made up of five stars. The brightest star, Procyon gets it name from the Greek language meaning, ‘before the dog,’ as this star rises in the Northern hemisphere before Sirius, the Dog Star. In Greek myths, the dog, named Maera, died from a broken heart when he found out that his owner, Icarius had been killed. Zeus placed Maera in the sky.

Canis Minor Constellation Map

Canis Minor Constellation Map
Canis Minor icon

Main Stars in The Smaller Dog (Canis Minor)

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

  • Procyon
  • Gomeisa
  • Gamma Canis Minoris
  • G Canis Minoris
  • Luyten’s Star

Some of the deep sky objects which have been discovered in Canis Minor include: NGC 2485.

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

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

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