Canis Minor Constellation Myths and Facts

Canis Minor: The Little Dog

Pronunciation: CANE-iss (CAN-iss) MY-ner
Canis Minor, The Little Dog
Canis Minor as depicted by Johann Bayer in his Uranometria (1603). Source image provided by www.RareMaps.com — Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc.
Canis Minor Constellation Profile
Abbreviation: CMi Genitive: Canis Minoris
Origin: Ancient Location: Celestial Equator
Best View (North): Winter Best View (South):
Bordering Constellations: Cancer, Gemini, Monoceros, Hydra

The Myth Behind the Constellation Canis Minor

Canis Minor, Latin for “the little dog”, has several mythical associations, but the most common is that of a hunting dog belonging to the hunter, Orion.  Another myth is that this constellation represents the favorite dog of Helen of Troy.  This dog allowed her to elope with Paris, the Trojan prince.

Canis Minor Constellation Points of Interest

Interesting Objects

Bright Stars in Canis Minor

These are the stars in Canis Minor with a minimum magnitude of 3.0.
Name Bayer Name Magnitude Color Luminosity Distance
Procyon Alpha Canis Minoris 0.34  Yellow-White 7.5 suns 11 ly
Gomeisa Beta Canis Minoris 2.89  Blue 278 suns 170 ly