The constellation Canis Major has been recognized since ancient times and is referred to in the mythologies of several civilizations, particularly those of the Greeks and Egyptians. Many people know this constellation by hearing it, but not everyone knows about its history, location and importance.
For this reason, we are going to tell you in this article everything you need to know about the Canis Major constellation.
Location of Canis Major
This particular formation, which is one of the most distinct and identifiable constellations to be seen in the night sky, is famous for containing Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, which is often referred to as "the Dog Star." Located southeast of the constellation Orion, it occupies an important place in celestial observation. If you want to learn more about how to locate this star, we recommend you consult our section on Sirio.
In ancient Egypt, the star Sirius was known as Sothis and had an important connection with the Nile River and its seasonal flooding patterns. The appearance of Sirius in the sky before dawn signaled the beginning of the Nile flooding, an event essential to Egyptian agricultural practices. Furthermore, the relationship between Sirius and the agricultural cycle was fundamental to the development of their calendar.
To locate it, Sirius must first be identified, which It is the brightest star in the night sky, located southeast of the constellation Orion. Sirius can be found roughly along the downward sweep of Orion's Belt. You can learn more about the Canicula and its relationship to changes in the sky.
Mythology and history of Canis Major
Amphitryon, Heracles' stepfather, began a military campaign against the Teleboans and invited Creon, the king of Thebes, to participate. Creon agreed to join the venture, provided that Amphitryon first rid Thebes of a wild fox that was wreaking havoc.
However, despite Amphitryon's efforts, no one managed to capture it, as the fox was destined to remain elusive. As Thebes continued to be plagued by the fox, the citizens of Thebes would, on a monthly basis, present one of their own as a sacrifice. This practice was an attempt to deter the fox from claiming more victims.
Thus Amphitryon traveled to Athens to visit Cephalus, the son of Deioneus, and successfully persuaded him to bring his dog Lalap to chase the fox, in exchange for a share of the spoils from the campaign against the Teleboans.
Laelapes was the canine companion of Procris, the deceased wife of Cephalus, who, in turn, had received Minos's dog. This particular dog possessed the unique characteristic of being destined to capture any creature it pursued. To better understand how these mythical elements relate to the constellations, see the famous constellations.
As a result, when the day of the hunt finally arrived, Lalapes chased the fox, which led to endless pursuit and evasion. Almost as if it were a story reflected in the stars, the tale of the dog and the fox has been enshrined in the sky by the constellation Canis Major, symbolizing Lalapes, the extraordinary canine.
main stars of the constellation
Sirius, the brightest star in Canis Major, is a remarkable binary star located just 8,6 light-years from Earth. It is known for being the brightest star visible in the night sky and represents an astronomical object of great interest. For a more in-depth look, you can visit our dedicated article.
Sirius, also known as Alpha Canis Majoris.
Sirius, with a visual magnitude of -1,46, has the distinction of being the brightest star in the night sky. This brightness can be attributed to its relative proximity to Earth, located approximately 8,6 light years distance, as well as its considerable intrinsic luminosity. Classified as a blue-white star, Sirius falls into the spectral type A1V.
This star is significantly larger and more massive than our Sun. With a mass approximately twice that of the Sun, its diameter is about 1,7 times that of the Sun. Furthermore, its luminous intensity and size make it a prime example of the nearby, bright stars in our galaxy.
Sirius is accompanied by a companion called Sirius B, also known as the "Pupil." This companion is a white dwarf, with a mass comparable to that of the Sun, but its size is equivalent to that of Earth. The visibility of this star is significantly hampered by the intense luminosity emitted by its neighbor, Sirius. To better understand the evolution of stars that end up as white dwarfs, we recommend consulting stars larger than the Sun.
A white dwarf represents a high-density dead star, formed from the expansion of a larger star that has exhausted its fuel. Sirius, classified as a massive star, will undergo a transition to a red giant phase before its eventual transformation into a white dwarf, similar to its companion, Sirius B.
Adhara, also known as Epsilon Canis Majoris
Adhara, with an apparent magnitude of about 1,5, It is a remarkably bright star, being the second brightest in the constellation Canis Major, after Sirius. Its luminosity is 38.000 times that of the Sun, placing it among the brightest stars in our galaxy. The star has been the subject of study for its size, luminosity, and its role in the structure of the constellation.
Adhara, classified as a blue-white star of spectral type B2.5, is located at a distance of approximately 430 light-years from Earth. It is a colossal star, with an estimated mass of approximately 12 times that of the Sun. Furthermore, its diameter is significantly larger than that of the Sun. For a complete overview of supergiant stars, visit the dead star that destroys a planetary system.
The term "Adhara" comes from Arabic and means "virgin" or "maiden." Different cultures have attributed different meanings and mythologies to this star.
Adhara is accompanied by a close companion known as Adhara B, although this companion remains difficult to observe directly due to the intense glow emitted by Adhara.
Wezen, also known as Delta Canis Majoris
Wezen is an exceptionally bright star, exhibiting an apparent magnitude ranging from 1,83 to 1,89, which places it among the brightest stars in the constellation Canis MajorThe name of this star comes from Arabic and means "weight" or "balance."
This star is classified as a supergiant of spectral type F8Ia and is located approximately 1.800 light-years from Earth. For a more in-depth understanding of the classification of stars like Wezen, see .
Wezen is certainly a star of considerable size and mass. Its estimated diameter is about 200 times that of the Sun, and its mass is about 20 times greater. In addition, Its luminosity is exceptionally high, estimated to be around 75.000 times brighter than that of the Sun. As a supergiant star, Wezen has reached an advanced stage in its stellar evolution and is destined to transform into a supernova in the distant future.