The figure in the sky: north is up, east is to the left. Larger dots are brighter stars.

Constellation

Canis Minor

The shape: just two stars, with bright Procyon.

Orion's second dog. Procyon means “before the dog”, because it rises shortly before Sirius. Together with Betelgeuse and Sirius it forms the Winter Triangle.

The stars of the figure

From bright to faint. Brightness is given in magnitudes (mag): the smaller the number, the brighter the star.

Procyon · 0.34 mag
Gomeisa · 2.89 mag

In the 3D model

In the 3D model, under “Explore”, the sky dome shows when the constellation Canis Minor can be seen above Switzerland. “Constellations in 3D” shows how far apart its stars really are.

← Canis Major Libra →