For those at southerly latitudes, Canopus!

Tonight, think about – or look for – a star that northern stargazers rarely see. It’s Canopus, and it’s the second-brightest star in the entire sky. That means this star is easily visible, even on a moonlit night.

Wait? Easily visible? Well … it is if you live far enough south on Earth’s globe. Canopus never rises above the horizon for locations north of about 37 degrees North latitude. In the United States, that line runs from roughly Richmond, Virginia; westward to Bowling Green, Kentucky; through Trinidad, Colorado; and onward to San Jose, California – just south of San Francisco.

Extend that line of latitude around the world, to know who on the globe can see this star.

You must be south of this line of latitude to be able to see Canopus.

If you are far enough south on Earth’s globe, you can see the sky’s second-brightest star, Canopus, below the sky’s brightest star, Sirius. Photo by Jun Lao of the Philippines.

If you are that far south, you can always find Canopus in the month of February by first locating Sirius, the sky’s brightest star. Just face southward at around 8 to 9 p.m. this evening. You can’t miss Sirius because it is so bright.

Sirius makes a wide arc across the southern sky at this time of year. Canopus makes a smaller arc as seen from latitudes like those in the U.S., and – to us – Canopus appears below Sirius in the southern sky.

Sirius is well known for being part of the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog. Canopus is in the constellation Carina. This southern constellation once was part of Argo Navis, the great Ship that sailed the southern skies – until astronomers officially named the constellations in the 1930s, at which time they divided Argo into three separate constellations. Carina is Latin for the Keel, that large beam along the underside of a ship’s hull, from bow to stern, that gives it stability.

View larger. | The Southern Hemisphere has an awesome view of Sirius and Canopus! From there, the 2 very bright stars sweep high across the sky. Here they are with the moon (far right) over Kalgoorlie, Australia, via Oliver Floyd. See how Orion’s Belt points to Sirius? Canopus is the bright star on the left.

If we were in the Southern Hemisphere now, our perspective on Sirius and Canopus would be very different. From Australia and New Zealand now, Sirius and Canopus both ride high in the sky. Southern Hemisphere stargazers see them as twin beacons dominating the night.

Bottom line: Sirius is the brightest star visible in Earth’s sky. Canopus is the second-brightest star. You have to be pretty far south on Earth’s globe to see Canopus, at least below 37 degrees N. latitude.

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Tonight, think about – or look for – a star that northern stargazers rarely see. It’s Canopus, and it’s the second-brightest star in the entire sky. That means this star is easily visible, even on a moonlit night.

Wait? Easily visible? Well … it is if you live far enough south on Earth’s globe. Canopus never rises above the horizon for locations north of about 37 degrees North latitude. In the United States, that line runs from roughly Richmond, Virginia; westward to Bowling Green, Kentucky; through Trinidad, Colorado; and onward to San Jose, California – just south of San Francisco.

Extend that line of latitude around the world, to know who on the globe can see this star.

You must be south of this line of latitude to be able to see Canopus.

If you are far enough south on Earth’s globe, you can see the sky’s second-brightest star, Canopus, below the sky’s brightest star, Sirius. Photo by Jun Lao of the Philippines.

If you are that far south, you can always find Canopus in the month of February by first locating Sirius, the sky’s brightest star. Just face southward at around 8 to 9 p.m. this evening. You can’t miss Sirius because it is so bright.

Sirius makes a wide arc across the southern sky at this time of year. Canopus makes a smaller arc as seen from latitudes like those in the U.S., and – to us – Canopus appears below Sirius in the southern sky.

Sirius is well known for being part of the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog. Canopus is in the constellation Carina. This southern constellation once was part of Argo Navis, the great Ship that sailed the southern skies – until astronomers officially named the constellations in the 1930s, at which time they divided Argo into three separate constellations. Carina is Latin for the Keel, that large beam along the underside of a ship’s hull, from bow to stern, that gives it stability.

View larger. | The Southern Hemisphere has an awesome view of Sirius and Canopus! From there, the 2 very bright stars sweep high across the sky. Here they are with the moon (far right) over Kalgoorlie, Australia, via Oliver Floyd. See how Orion’s Belt points to Sirius? Canopus is the bright star on the left.

If we were in the Southern Hemisphere now, our perspective on Sirius and Canopus would be very different. From Australia and New Zealand now, Sirius and Canopus both ride high in the sky. Southern Hemisphere stargazers see them as twin beacons dominating the night.

Bottom line: Sirius is the brightest star visible in Earth’s sky. Canopus is the second-brightest star. You have to be pretty far south on Earth’s globe to see Canopus, at least below 37 degrees N. latitude.

Going … going. Order your 2018 EarthSky lunar calendar today!

EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store

Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1EkbmkD