Map of the Universe
Canopus
Star · Brightest star in the constellation of Carina
About Canopus
Canopus is about 309.15 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 309.15 years ago.
At apparent magnitude -0.62 it can be seen with the naked eye from a dark site.
It gives out 1.39e+04 times as much light as the Sun.
The map lists it as a star and shows it among the stars around the Sun, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.
Key numbers
| Distance | 309.15 light-years (94.79 pc) |
|---|---|
| Spectral type | F0Ib |
| Apparent magnitude | -0.62 |
| Absolute magnitude | -5.50 |
| Luminosity | 1.39e+04 × the Sun |
| Constellation | Car |
Where it is
Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Solar neighbourhood › Local Bubble › Orion–Cygnus Arm (Local Arm) › Milky Way › Local Group › Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.
Zoom out to see it in context: 1,000 light-years, a view about 2,400 light-years across.
From Wikipedia
Canopus is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina and the second-brightest star in the night sky. It is designated α Carinae, which is romanized (transliterated) to Alpha Carinae. With a visual apparent magnitude of −0.74, it is outshone only by Sirius.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Canopus, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.