Canopus
star · Carina · -0.6ᵐ
The second brightest star in the sky, a white supergiant. It never rises above about 37° north latitude.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Canopus around the year 1717.
About 445 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Canopus in?
Canopus lies in Carina.
Is Canopus visible to the naked eye?
-0.6ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Canopus?
Best observed in December.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 6h 24m · −52° 42′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Carina
- How to observe
- -0.6ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- F0Ib — yellow-white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -5.5ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈13,552 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~309 light years
- Designation
- HIP 30438
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | never rises | — |
| +55° | never rises | — |
| +45° | never rises | — |
| +30° | 7° | 157° |
| 0° | 37° | 143° |
| −35° | 72° | 166° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 22:38 |
| February | 20:31 |
| March | 18:46 |
| April | 16:53 |
| May | 14:58 |
| June | 12:52 |
| July | 10:48 |
| August | 08:47 |
| September | 06:54 |
| October | 05:05 |
| November | 03:05 |
| December | 00:56 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.