Canis Minor, the Little Dog (Procyon)

Canis Minor (KAY-niss MY-ner) is a very small constellation (only 17 others are smaller). It has only two prominent stars and does not look like a dog! In the light-polluted skies of urban areas, Procyon (PRO-see-on) is the only star which can be seen in Canis Minor. A Greek word meaning "before the dog" or "the leading dog," Procyon (FCPS Starfinder, Letter "E," Southern Sky) rises before Sirius (Letter "A"), the brightest star in the night sky and the nose of Canis Major (No. 2).

Associated Mythology - Known for his faithfulness, Orion's small hunting dog drinks from the Milky Way (which was once thought to be a river in the sky).

Cancer, the Crab

Cancer (KAN-sir) is the fourth constellation of the Zodiac for birthdates from 21 June to 22 July. Comprised of faint stars, this difficult to find constellation looks like an upside down capital "Y" (the stem of the Y is the body of the crab; the left and right side of the Y are the two crab claws). Cancer (not shown on the FCPS Starfinder) is located between the much brighter Zodiacal constellations Gemini and Leo.

2,000 years ago, the Summer Solstice occurred while the Sun was "in" Cancer, thus the "Tropic of Cancer" is named for this sign of the Zodiac.

Associated Mythology - While engaged in a fight with the Hydra, Hercules stepped on the crab and crushed it. The crab had been sent by Juno to bite and distract Hercules so that the Hydra would be able to kill Hercules, thereby avenging Juno's jealousy. Even though unsuccessful, Juno gave the crab an honorable place in the sky because of its efforts.

Credits: CoM entries excerpted from Your Guide to the Constellations, by Lowell L. Koontz, former Planetarium Teacher at Edison High School, Fairfax County Public Schools.

CoM | SCSA Home | Geoscience-Related Information Servers | Geosystems in FCPS