Month Best Visible
May
Hemisphere Visible
Northern
Canes Venatici brightest star is Cor Caroli. Canes Venatici includes four galaxies, the most significant galaxy is the Whirlpool Galaxy, a small spiral galaxy that can be seen face on. Messier 3 (NGC 5272) is a globular cluster that is bright enough to be seen.
In the medieval times, the identification of these stars with the dogs of Boötes arose through a mistranslation. Some of Boötes' stars were traditionally described as representing the club of Boötes. In 1533, the German astronomer Peter Apian depicted Boötes as having two dogs with him.
Neighbouring Constellations
Ursa Major (Great Bear (Dipper))
