Canopus

Authors: IAU-WGSN Etymology Group, Susanne M Hoffmann, Youla Azkarrula, IanRidpath

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Canopus

Asterism Info
Native	Κάνωβος
Position (2000)
Right ascension	95.98795783
Declination	-52.69566138
Area	0 sq. deg.
Stars
Bright stars	1
Bayer/Flamsteed stars	1
Stars brighter than 3.00m	0
Brightest star	Canopus (-0.74m)
Taxonomy
category of asterism	IAU-Star Name
IAU- constellations	Car

Canopus is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Greek. It is the name of HIP 30438 (α Car, HR 2326) in constellation Car.

Etymology and History

From its ancient Greek name Κάνωβος (i.e. Kanobos – as spelled by Eratosthenes and Ptolemy), an untranslated proper name that was introduced rather late into Greek astronomy (perhaps in the 2nd century BCE). Canopus is the Latinized version. There seem to be Egyptian influences in the name's development. Reapplied in Renaissance times.

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN on 2016/06/30.

Weblinks

• Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/

Reference

• References (general)
• Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sky Pub.
• Ridpath, Ian. Carina: Canopus and other stars. Star Tales (online edition).