Canopus

Canopus, designated Alpha Carinae, is the brightest star in the southern constellation Carina and the second-brightest star in the night sky after Sirius. With an apparent magnitude around −0.7, Canopus is most easily seen from the southern hemisphere and is a prominent landmark in the southern celestial sky. It lies at an estimated distance of about 310 light-years from the Sun. Canopus is a luminous giant star, significantly larger and more radiant than the Sun; its spectral type is generally listed as F-type, with some catalogs classifying it as a bright giant or near-supergiant depending on the measurement system.

The star is part of Carina, a southern constellation that represents the keel of the mythological ship Argo Navis. Canopus has historically served as a navigational cue for mariners in the southern seas, aiding orientation when other bright stars are not visible or are seasonally unavailable.

The name Canopus is derived from the ancient city of Canopus in Egypt, and its use passed into Greek astronomy and later Western tradition. In addition to its astronomical significance, the name has appeared in various cultural contexts as a proper noun, used for ships, organizations, and fictional works. The term also appears in modern astronomy as a conventional designation and continues to be referenced in educational and popular discussions of bright southern stars.