Canis Major – The Garden Astronomer

Struve 3116: A Tight Double Star in Canis Major

Learn about the tight double star Struve 3116—its close 3.9″ separation, blue-white components, and observing tips. This article also includes my personal sketch so you can see how the pair appears through the eyepiece. Known as SAO 151401, HD 44458.

145 Canis Majoris: Winter’s Beautiful Version of Albireo

The comparison of winter’s 145 Canis Majoris and summer’s Albireo highlights their contrasting beauty, with 145 CMa’s warm orange-yellow primary and aqua secondary creating a stunning double star spectacle. Easily visible at a separation of 26.4 arcseconds, it remains a winter favorite for amateur astronomers seeking captivating celestial experiences. The double star is also known as 145 CMa, SAO 173349, HR 2764, HD 56577, HIP 35210.

17 Canis Majoris: Herschel’s Colorful “Treble” in Canis Major

17 Canis Majoris is a dim star located in the southern constellation of Canis Major, with a visible magnitude of +5.8 under dark sky conditions. Seeing 17 Canis Majoris up close unveils two nearby orange-colored stars of, creating an attractive triangle system. The system is also known as H V 65, 17 CMa, SAO 172569, HD 51055, HR 2588.

Nu 1 Canis Majoris: A Pretty Binary in Canis Major

An illustration of the double star system.

Nu1 Canis Majoris (also known as ν1 Canis Majoris) is a fairly bright binary in the constellation Canis Major. The two pretty yellow stars are wide apart enough for backyard observers with modest scopes to see both stars. The double is also known as Nu1 CMa, SHJ 73, SAO 151694, HIP 31560, HR 2423, HD 47138, 6 Canis Majoris, ν1 CMa.

Messier 41 (NGC 2287): The Little Beehive in Canis Major

Messier 41 lies south of the bright star Sirius and covers an area nearly the size of the moon. I credit this wintertime cluster for inspiring my life-long love of astronomy. Learn why.

NGC 2360: Caroline’s Beautiful Cluster of Stars

Caroline Hershel, sister of the famous astronomer William Hershel who discovered Uranus, discovered this cluster more than 200 years ago on a winter’s night. Seeing this makes me reflect on the passing of time.