Canopus
Product information
Description
Canopus radiates a brilliant white-yellow hue in the southern sky. Its brightness and isolation from other stars make it a commanding and easily distinguishable presence in the night, especially from southern latitudes.
Additional Information
- Constellation
- Carina
- Spectral Type
- A9II
- Apparent Magnitude
- -0.74
- Distance (Light Years)
- 310
- Right Ascension
- 06h 23m 57.1s
- Declination
- −52° 41′ 44″
- Solar Masses
- 8
- Radius (Solar)
- 71
- Temperature (Kelvin)
- 7350
- Age (Million Years)
- 27
Discovery
- Ancient Civilizations
- Chinese, Polynesians, Greeks, Arabs
- Historical Significance
- Canopus has been known since ancient times and held great navigational and symbolic significance. Its name originates from Greek legend, referring to the helmsman of King Menelaus during the Trojan War. It also played an important role in Chinese and Polynesian celestial traditions.
Cultural Significance
- Mythology
- In Greek mythology, Canopus was said to be the navigator of Menelaus, whose name was given to the star after he died in Egypt. In Chinese astronomy, Canopus is known as 'the Old Man of the South' and was seen as a symbol of longevity. It was also highly revered in Polynesian navigation and cultural lore.
- Navigation
- Canopus’s southern sky brightness made it one of the most important stars for oceanic navigation across the Southern Hemisphere. It was especially critical for Polynesian voyagers and later, global sailors.
- Modern Reference
- Canopus is widely referenced in space science due to its use in spacecraft navigation systems as a stable point of reference. It also appears frequently in astronomy education and science fiction.
Notable Features
- Stellar Motion
- Despite its brightness, Canopus has relatively low proper motion due to its distance.
- Additional Fact
- As a luminous F-type supergiant, Canopus is the second-brightest star in the night sky after Sirius and is over 10,000 times more luminous than the Sun.
User Dedications
- Dedications
- This star has not been claimed yet. Be the first to dedicate it to someone special!