Canes Venatici - The Hunting Dogs

Learn 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.