CMa - Canis Major the Big Dog
IAU Constellation
Size
43 of 88
Astronomical Regions
Intro and Visual description
South of Orion in the Winter Hexagon, near the horizon.
Pup - Puppis the Stern of Argo Navis
Car - Carina the Keel of Argo Navis
IAU ConstellationSize
34 of 88Astronomical RegionsIntro and Visual description
Locate Canopus by drawing a line from the easternmost star of Orion’s belt down through Rigel, Orion’s left foot. Canopus lies about twice as far from Orion’s belt as Sirius.
Between Canopus and the south pole lies the Large Magellenic Cloud (LMC), located in the constellation Dorado the Swordfish.
Between Canopus and Crux are the False Cross (nearer Canopus, shared by Carina and Vela) and the Diamond Cross (nearer Crux, in Carina). These are fainter than Crux and were once part of Argo Navis.
Col - Columba the Dove
IAU ConstellationSize
54 of 88Astronomical RegionsIntro and Visual description
Below Orion in the far south, Columba is tiny, with few bright stars. Barely visible in December from 35 degrees north latitude.
Hya - Hydra the Water Snake
IAU ConstellationSize
1 of 88Astronomical RegionsIntro and Visual description
Hydra the Water Snake is the largest and longest of the constellations, stretching from Cancer to Libra. Several constellations and asterisms ride on its back; from head to tail they are Sextans the Sextant, Crater the Cup, Corvus the Crow, and Noctua the Owl.
Mon - Monoceros the Unicorn
IAU ConstellationSize
35 of 88Astronomical RegionsIntro and Visual description
The Unicorn is running up behind Orion, who has not heard it coming (a sign of its magical nature).
Pyx - Pyxis the Compass of Argo Navis
IAU ConstellationSize
65 of 88Astronomical RegionsVel - Vela the Sail of Argo Navis
Argo Navis the Ship of the Argonauts
Asterism Visual Appearance
Argo Navis is located between between Antlia, Centaurus, Chamaeleon, and Musca. Canopus, once alpha-Argus, now lies in Carina.
Asterism Origin and History
An ancient constellation, the only one of Ptolemy's 48 no longer used. In the 18th century, the French astronomer Lacaille dismantled Argo Navis into three smaller constellations: Carina the Keel, Puppis the Stern or Poop, and Vela the Sail. Small Pyxis the Compass is located nearby.
Asterism Skylore
Argo Navis was the ship which Argus built for Jason and his crew, the Argonauts, to carry them on their quest for the Golden Fleece. After their many adventures, Athena raised their ship to the sky.
IAU Constellation Main Page
Tau - Taurus the Bull
IAU Constellation
Size
17 of 88
Astronomical Regions
Intro and Visual description
Taurus the Bull is easily spotted. Its head is the Hyades, a V-shaped cluster of stars. His horns point outward from the V. Aldebaran is the red eye of the Bull as he charges down upon us.