Canis Major is the larger of two constellations said to represent dogs. Canis Major is Latin for Greater Dog. The smaller constellation is Canis Minor, the Lesser Dog. Canis Major is a constellation of the Southern Hemisphere. It is best viewed from December through February. Canis Major was among the 48 constellations defined by the ancient Greek mathematician Ptolemy. Today, Canis Major is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the leading authority in the naming of heavenly objects.
Canis Major can be drawn in several ways using a different number of stars. In one common configuration, a triangle of stars forms the dog’s head. More stars outline the body, legs, and tail, as seen in profile. The star at the dog’s shoulder, named Sirius, is also called the Dog Star. Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky as seen from Earth. Sirius appears brighter than other stars because it is among the closest stars to Earth and has a relatively high luminosity (brightness).
See also Sirius .
