February 2010February 2010Winter HexagonWinter Hexagon

Winter “G”Winter “G”

Canis MajorCanis Major

Winter HexagonWinter Hexagon

Winter “G”Winter “G”

Mythology of Canis MajorMythology of Canis Major Prominent in Egyptian HistoryProminent in Egyptian History

Rising of Sirius (Syrian) above the horizon in late Rising of Sirius (Syrian) above the horizon in late July marked the beginning of the annual flooding if July marked the beginning of the annual flooding if the Nilethe Nile

Also associated with the god Anubis and the dead…Also associated with the god Anubis and the dead…embalming…and weighing the souls of the dead on embalming…and weighing the souls of the dead on the Balance of Justice to determine where the dead the Balance of Justice to determine where the dead would spend eternitywould spend eternity

In Greek MythologyIn Greek Mythology Sirius = “Scorching”Sirius = “Scorching” Virgil writes of the Dog Star bringing drought and Virgil writes of the Dog Star bringing drought and

disease in the late “Dog Days of August”disease in the late “Dog Days of August” Canis Major is one of Orion’s “Hunting Dogs”Canis Major is one of Orion’s “Hunting Dogs”

Ready to pounce on Lepus the HareReady to pounce on Lepus the Hare

Canis Major by Robert FrostCanis Major by Robert Frost

The great OverdogThat heavenly beastWith a star in one eyeGives a leap in the east.

He dances uprightAll the way to the westAnd never once dropsOn his forefeet to rest.

I'm a poor underdog,But to-night I will barkWith the great OverdogThat romps through the dark.

Canis major - What to see?Canis major - What to see?

Sirius - double star (-1.0 and 8.0)Sirius - double star (-1.0 and 8.0) A real challenge…apodizing disc necessaryA real challenge…apodizing disc necessary

M41 - nice open clusterM41 - nice open cluster NGC 2243 - nice open clusterNGC 2243 - nice open cluster NGC 2362 - open clusterNGC 2362 - open cluster NGC 2360 - open cluster NGC 2360 - open cluster Double Stars…there are 60 plus double Double Stars…there are 60 plus double

stars in the mag -1.0 to 9.0 range…seestars in the mag -1.0 to 9.0 range…see http://www.eaglecreekobservatory.org/eco/doubles/cma.html http://www.eaglecreekobservatory.org/eco/doubles/cma.html

Canis MajorCanis Major

Canis MajorCanis Major

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