The Deep Photographic Guide to the
Constellations
The constellation of the month
MARCH
Canis Major
Mark the Deep Sky Objects
Names:
Latin: Canis Major (CMa)
| English: | Big Dog
| Spanish: | Perro Mayor
|
| German: | Grosser Hund
| French: | Grand Chien
|
In mid of march Canis Major can be observed best in the evening
at about 20 h local time, when it culminates
(see lines). The position is southeast
of januarys Orion
at a declination of -20 degrees. So for observers in northern
hemispheres Canis Major never reaches high above the horizon.
The galactic plane is crossing our field of view and so there are a lot
of galactic deep sky objects,
especially Open Star Clusters. Striking is the brightest star in
Canis Major: Sirius (Alpha Canis Majoris). With an apparent
magnitude of -1.6 it is the brightest star of the entire night sky.
© all photographs taken by
Till Credner and
Sven Kohle
