Canes Venatici | |
| |
Abbreviation | CVn |
Genitive | Canum Venaticorum |
Meaning in English | the Hunting Dogs |
Right ascension | 13 h |
Declination | 40° |
Visible to latitude | Between 90° and -40° |
On meridian | 9 p.m., May 20 |
Area - Total | Ranked 38th 465 sq. deg. |
Number of stars with apparent magnitude < 3 | 1 |
Brightest star - Apparent magnitude | Cor Caroli 2.90 |
Meteor showers | |
Bordering constellations |
Canes Venatici (the hunting dogs) is a small northern constellation that was introduced by Johannes Hevelius in the 17th century. It is supposed to represent the dogs Chara and Asterion held on a leash by Boötes.
Among the objects in Canes Venatici is the Whirlpool Galaxy, M51, a spiral galaxy that is seen face on. This was the first galaxy recognised as having a spiral structure, this structure being first observed by Lord Rosse in 1845.