Canes Venatici

AbbreviationCVn
GenitiveCanum Venaticorum
Meaning in Englishthe Hunting Dogs
Right ascension13 h
Declination40°
Visible to latitudeBetween 90° and -40°
On meridian9 p.m., May 20
Area
 - Total
Ranked 38th
465 sq. deg.
Number of stars with
apparent magnitude < 3
1
Brightest star
 - Apparent magnitude
Cor Caroli
2.90
Meteor showers
Bordering constellations

Canes Venatici (the hunting dogs) is a small northern constellation that was introduced by Johannes Hevelius in the 17th century. It is supposed to represent the dogs Chara and Asterion held on a leash by Boötes.

Among the objects in Canes Venatici is the Whirlpool Galaxy, M51, a spiral galaxy that is seen face on. This was the first galaxy recognised as having a spiral structure, this structure being first observed by Lord Rosse in 1845.


M51, known as the Whirlpool Galaxy. At the top of the picture is a companion galaxy which is being disrupted by the gravitational forces of M51.