Canis Minor
February 16, 2023
Photographer: Greg Parker
Summary Author: Greg Parker; Jim Foster
Shown above is a 2-frame mosaic of the constellation of Canis Minor, which consists of just two stars, Procyon (bottom left) and Gomeisa (top right). Also known as the Little Dog, Canis Minor is prominent in the southern sky (of the Northern Hemisphere) at this time of year.
Because Procyon is relatively close by, some 11.5 light years distant, it’s one of the brightest stars in the night sky, shining at a magnitude of 0.34. Along with Betelgeuse and Sirius it forms the asterism called the Winter Triangle. Take a look for this whitish colored gem on the next clear night. It’s a beautiful star!
Image details: Taken with a pair of Canon 200mm prime lenses and Trius M26C OSC CCDs. Each frame was 20 x 10-minute subs and the captured on the MiniWASP array at the New Forest Observatory.
New Forest Observatory, England Coordinates: 50.819444, -1.59
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