IAU Chart
NOIRLab Images
Stars and Sticks| Abbreviation | CMi |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Lesser Dog |
| Pronunciation Guide is based on “Pronouncing Astronomical Names,” published in 1943 by the American Astronomical Society. | CANE-iss MY-ner |
| Genitive The genitive is the Latin possessive form used in star names. For example, Alpha Orionis means “the Alpha of Orion.” | KAY-nis my-NOR-is |
| Best Month | March |
| Visibility | Global |
| Origin | AncientThese figures are rooted in the classical Greek and Mesopotamian traditions cataloged by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. |
| Author | PtolemyPtolemy, a 2nd-century Greco-Egyptian astronomer, cataloged the 48 classical constellations in his landmark work, the Almagest. These form the core of the 88 modern constellations recognized today. |
| Type | constellation |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Description | The smaller of Orion's two hunting dogs is a tiny constellation yet one of its stars ranks among the most famous in the sky. Procyon — from the Greek for 'before the dog' because it rises just before Sirius — is the eighth brightest star overall at magnitude 0.34, lying just 11.4 light-years away and making it one of our nearest stellar neighbors. Like Sirius, Procyon is a binary system with a white dwarf companion. In mythology, some traditions identify this dog as Maera, the faithful hound of Icarius, who died of grief after his master was killed and was placed among the stars alongside him. |
Click a thumbnail to view full-size. Plain and Annotated versions available on the image page.
Monthly sky charts courtesy of What's Out Tonight? — Copyright ©2026 Ken Graun. Star charts are optimized for mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Click a chart to view or download the PDF. For guidance on using the chart, or to purchase a planisphere and astronomy books, visit kenpress.com.
Images: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/E. Slawik · IAU and Sky & Telescope · Stellarium — Full credits →
