What is Canis Minor?

Canis Minor is a constellation in the southern sky that was first cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. It is located to the east of the constellation Orion and is one of the smallest constellations in the sky. Canis Minor is also known as the Little Dog because it represents the smaller of the two hunting dogs of the hunter Orion.

Mythology

In Greek mythology, Canis Minor was said to represent Maera, a loyal hunting dog of the king Icarius. Icarius was a wine maker who was known for his hospitality towards travelers. When he offered his wine to a group of shepherds, they became drunk and believed he had poisoned them. In their rage, they killed Icarius and his faithful dog Maera. In honor of Maera’s loyalty, Zeus placed her in the night sky as the constellation Canis Minor.

“Maera in Heav’n, a star with brighter light,

-Virgil’s Aeneid

Stars

Canis Minor is best known for its brightest star, Procyon, which means “before the dog” in Greek. Procyon is a binary star, meaning that it is actually two stars that orbit around a common center of mass. Procyon A is a yellow-white star that is 1.5 times more massive than our Sun, while Procyon B is a white dwarf that is about the size of Earth. Procyon is the 8th brightest star in the night sky and can be easily seen even from light-polluted cities.

Other stars in Canis Minor include Gomeisa, a blue-white star that is much less bright than Procyon, and Luyten 726-8A and Luyten 726-8B, a pair of red dwarfs that are the third closest star system to our Sun, after Alpha Centauri and Barnard’s Star.

Conclusion

Canis Minor may be a small constellation, but it has a rich history and mythology that makes it a fascinating object to observe in the night sky. The bright star Procyon and its binary system are particularly interesting for astronomers, while the story of Maera and Icarius adds a touch of emotion and drama to this constellation.

Next time you look up at the sky, try to spot the Little Dog and remember the story of its loyal companion.

Image sources: Constellation Guide