images

Constellations of Canes Venatici and Bootes

by

A.Fujii/David Malin Images/Novapix

Reference

a-cst18-00002

Date

2008-11-02

Canes Venatici (CVn, the Hunting Dogs) is an inconspicuous constellation introduced by Johannes Hevelius in 1690, nestling beneath the tail of Ursa Major. It represents the dogs Asterion and Chara, held on a leash by Boötes as the attack the Great Bear. The brightest star is Cor Caroli, named by Edmund Halley in memory of the king Charles I, King of England, or his son, Charles II. Boötes is also visible on the left.