Canopus
From All Skies Encyclopaedia
Authors: IAU-WGSN Etymology Group, Susanne M Hoffmann, Youla Azkarrula, IanRidpath
| Asterism Info | |
| Native | Κάνωβος |
|---|---|
| IPA | [canopus] |
| 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.
Mythology
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).
