"The Hunting Dogs"
Location: R.A. = 2h 30m, Dec. = 20 N
History: Canes
Venatici was originally part of the constellation Ursa Major, the Great
Bear. In 1687, the Polish astronomer Johannes Helvelius conceived
of these two hunting dogs and included them on his star chart. Often
confused with the Big and Little Dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor, this
set of Dogs are often imagined as being bound by leashes held by Bootes,
adding to the idea that Bootes is the Bear Driver. Since the Great
Bear and the two Dogs Canes Venatici are circumpolar, it is as if the Dogs
are continually chasing the Bear in the sky.
Some claim that the star Cor Caroli (literally "heart of Charles") was
named after King Charles II. However, others argue that the original
name of the star was "Cor Caroli Regis Martyris," and was named after the
execution of Charles I.
Other Interesting Sights: The spiral galaxy M63 (NGC 5055), also called the Sunflower Galaxy, is in this constellation.
M63 (NGC 5055) the Sunflower Galaxy