The Carina constellation
Car · Catalogue stars: 45
Why this name?
Carina means the keel, the longitudinal structure at the bottom of a ship’s hull. The name survives from the vast ancient constellation Argo Navis, linked to Jason’s voyage for the Golden Fleece.
A little history
In the eighteenth century, Lacaille divided Argo Navis into Carina, Puppis and Vela. The three constellations therefore retain a shared historical system of letter designations for their stars.
Data
- IAU code
- Car
- Catalogue stars
- 45
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- Canopus · -0.7ᵐ
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 52419 · 2.7ᵐ · B0Vp
- HIP 48002 · 2.9ᵐ · A9
- HIP 50099 · 3.3ᵐ · B8III
- HIP 51576 · 3.3ᵐ · B4Vne
- HIP 50371 · 3.4ᵐ · K3II
- HIP 45080 · 3.4ᵐ · B2IV
- HIP 38827 · 3.5ᵐ · B3IVp
- HIP 47854 · 3.7ᵐ · G5Iab/Ib
- HIP 53253 · 3.8ᵐ · K0III-IV...
- HIP 51232 · 3.8ᵐ · F2II
- HIP 43783 · 3.8ᵐ · B8III
- HIP 54463 · 3.9ᵐ · G0Ia0
- HIP 45101 · 4.0ᵐ · B3IV
- HIP 50954 · 4.0ᵐ · F2IV
- HIP 46974 · 4.1ᵐ · B5II
- HIP 42568 · 4.3ᵐ · B1.5III
- HIP 45496 · 4.3ᵐ · M1III
- HIP 31407 · 4.3ᵐ · B9III
- HIP 32761 · 4.4ᵐ · G6II
- HIP 51849 · 4.5ᵐ · K3/K4II
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | never rises | — |
| +55° | never rises | — |
| +45° | never rises | — |
| +30° | never rises | — |
| 0° | 27° | 153° |
| −35° | 62° · never sets | — |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 01:48 |
| February | 23:41 |
| March | 21:55 |
| April | 20:02 |
| May | 18:08 |
| June | 16:01 |
| July | 13:58 |
| August | 11:57 |
| September | 10:03 |
| October | 08:15 |
| November | 06:14 |
| December | 04:05 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Carina?
Canopus — -0.7ᵐ.