Canopus (α Carinae) is the brightest star in the constellation Carina. It is about 300 light-years (ly) away and has an apparent magnitude of -0.62 mag.
It is the second brightest star in the night sky after Sirius, but is so far south that it cannot be seen from Central Europe. It can only be observed from the southernmost part of Europe (Gibraltar, Malta, Crete).
Due to its position near the south pole of the ecliptic and its great brightness, it serves as a guiding star for many spacecraft.
| Canopus | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Carina |
| Right ascension | 06h 23m 57.11s |
| Declination | -52° 41′ 44.4″ |
| Apparent magnitude | −0.62 mag |
| Distance | (309 ± 16) ly |
| Bayer designation | α Carinae |
| Bright Star Catalogue | HR 2326 |
| Hipparcos Catalogue | HIP 30438 |
| SAO Catalogue | SAO 234480 |
