|
Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Canes Venatici
Origin:
Canes Venatici is one of few northern constellations which has no
classical legends or myths associated with it. The constellation was
introduced by Polish astronomer Johannes
Hevelius to his star chart in 1690 and adopted by the International Astronomical Union in
1930. The two hunting dogs are usually identified as greyhounds,
named Asterion and Chara, with leads held by Boötes,
the Herdsman. One legend has the dogs protecting Boötes' flocks
from the bears Ursa Major and Ursa Minor since the dogs appear to chase them
around the celestial pole.
Information:
Canes Venatici is a small inconspicuous constellation with only one bright
star (Cor Caroli - Charles' Heart, in honor of King Charles I of England
in 1660). Canes Venatici is high in the sky at about 9 pm early in
June but it can be difficult to find without a star chart or planisphere
because of the lack of bright stars. Canes Venatici is bounded to
the west by Boötes, north by Ursa Major, east by Leo
Minor, and south by the Coma Berenices
(also possessing few bright stars). It is in galaxies beyond the
Milky Way that Canes Venatici excels. It is estimated that an
amateur astronomer could see as many as 100 galaxies with a 20-cm (8-inch)
or larger telescope on a dark night. |
