Canes Venatici - The Hunting DogsLearn about the constellation Canes Venatici - The Hunting Dogs, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.
Canes Venatici is a small northern constellation which lies between Bootes, Leo and Coma Berenices.
Location: Northern Winter 13h RA 40° Dec
Canes Venatici contains five Messier objects, including four galaxies. One of the more significant galaxies in Canes Venatici is the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51, NGC 5194) and NGC 5195, a small barred spiral galaxy that is seen face-on. This was the first galaxy recognized as having a spiral structure, this structure being first observed by Lord Rosse in 1845.
Canes Venatici Mythology
It is supposed to represent the dogs Chara and Asterion held on a leash by Bootes. The northern of the two dogs is Asterion, and the southern dog is named Chara.
Canes Venatici Deep Space Objects
Canes Venatici contains five Messier objects, including four galaxies. One of the more significant galaxies in Canes Venatici is the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51, NGC 5194) and NGC 5195, a small barred spiral galaxy that is seen face-on.
In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.
| # | Image | Common Name | Constellation | Month | Coords | Direction | Mag | Size (arcmin) | Type | Star Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C21 NGC 4449 | The Box Galaxy | Canes Venatici | May | 12h 28.2m RA +44° 06m Dec | Z | 9.40 | 6.2x4.4 | Irregular Galaxy | 🔍︎ | |
| C26 NGC 4244 | Silver Needle Galaxy | Canes Venatici | Apr | 12h 17.5m RA +37° 49m Dec | Z | 10.20 | 17x2.2 | Spiral Galaxy | 🔍︎ | |
| C29 NGC 5005 | Canes Venatici | Apr | 13h 10.9m RA +37° 03m Dec | Z | 9.80 | 5.8x2.8 | Spiral Galaxy | 🔍︎ | ||
| C32 NGC 4631 | Whale Galaxy | Canes Venatici | May | 12h 42.1m RA +32° 32m Dec | Z | 9.30 | 15.5x2.7 | Spiral Galaxy | 🔍︎ | |
| M3 NGC 5272 |  | Canes Venatici | Jul | 13h 42.2m RA 28° 23m Dec | W | 6.20 | 18 | Globular Cluster | 🔍︎ | |
| M51 NGC 5194 |  | The Whirlpool Galaxy | Canes Venatici | Feb | 13h 29.9m RA 47° 12m Dec | NE | 8.40 | 11x7 | Galaxy | 🔍︎ |
| M63 NGC 5055 |  | The Sunflower Galaxy | Canes Venatici | Apr | 13h 15.8m RA 42° 02m Dec | Z | 9.30 | 12.6x7.2 | Galaxy | 🔍︎ |
| M94 NGC 4736 |  | Cat's Eye Galaxy | Canes Venatici | May | 12h 50.9m RA 41° 07m Dec | SW | 8.99 | 11.2x9.1 | Galaxy | 🔍︎ |
| M106 NGC 4258 | Canes Venatici | May | 12h 19.0m RA 47° 18m Dec | SW | 9.10 | 18.6x7.2 | Galaxy | 🔍︎ |
More Constellations
| Northern Circumpolar | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camelopardalis | Cassiopeia | Cepheus | Draco | Lacerta | Ursa Major |
| Ursa Minor |
| Northern Spring | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlia | Boötes | Cancer | Coma Berenices | Crater | Hydra |
| Leo | Leo Minor | Virgo |
| Northern Summer | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquila | Corona Borealis | Cygnus | Delphinus | Equuleus | Hercules |
| Libra | Lyra | Ophiuchus | Sagitta | Scutum | Serpens |
| Vulpecula |
| Northern Autumn | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda | Aquarius | Aries | Capricornus | Pegasus | Pisces |
| Triangulum |
| Northern Winter | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auriga | Canes Venatici | Canis Major | Canis Minor | Cetus | Eridanus |
| Gemini | Lepus | Lynx | Monoceros | Orion | Perseus |
| Taurus |
