Canopus
Star in Carina · 309.2 light-years
🔭 Explore Canopus in the 3D map →View Canopus images →| Type | Star |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Carina |
| Right ascension | 6h 23m 57s |
| Declination | −52° 42′ |
| Object distance | 309.2 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | -0.62 |
| Also known as | Spectral type F0Ib |
The second-brightest star in the night sky, a rare bright supergiant used by spacecraft as a navigation reference.
Observing Canopus
Canopus lies in the constellation Carina and is best placed in the evening sky around December. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the southern hemisphere, and sits low for those far north. At its brightness it can be found with the unaided eye under a dark sky and is easy in binoculars.
See Canopus in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Canopus and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →
Sources
- Position and distance from the HYG stellar database (Hipparcos · Yale Bright Star · Gliese).
- Object identity cross-referenced with SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg).
- Image credits and the original observation source are linked with each photograph.
Related objects
- The Sun — star
- Proxima Centauri — star
- Barnard's Star — star
- TRAPPIST-1 — star
- Sirius — star