Canopus Observation Details
Canopus Daily Motion
Canopus is said to be "never-rising." It is always below the horizon and remain out of view, regardless of the time of year or night.Canopus will be visible until January, 1, when it will move too close to the Sun. During this time, its proximity to the Sun will cause it to disappear from the night sky, making it unobservable for a while.
Canopus Visibility Timetable on May 16
Canopus Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Canopus is always below the horizon | - | |
| Canopus transit | 16:20 | -3° |
| Astrosession begin | 22:31 | -32° |
| Moon Rise, 89% illuminated | 00:01 | -45° |
| Astrosession end | 04:24 | -77° |
| Moon Set | 08:46 | -44° |
Track Canopus Position Throughout the Night
← Fri, 16 May 2025 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe Canopus changing position in the night sky.
Canopus - Supergiant Star
Canopus is the second-brightest star in the night sky, located in the constellation Carina. It is a supergiant star approximately 310 light-years away from Earth. Canopus is significantly larger and more luminous than the Sun.
With an apparent magnitude of -0.72, Canopus is a key navigation star and has been used for centuries by mariners and astronomers alike.
Finder Chart for Canopus
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| Object name | Canopus |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| Canopus coordinates | 6.399195, -52.69566 |
| Center coordinates | 6.399195, -52.69566 |
Canopus Passage Through Night
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Current position of Canopus
| Time | 02:39 |
| Latitude | 39.9625 |
| Longitude | -83.0061 |
| Canopus elevation | -69° |
| Canopus Azimuth | 135° |
Here you can see the current position of the Canopus on the map, as well as its positions for rise and set. This tool allows you to track the Canopus's movement throughout the night, providing you with accurate and up-to-date information.
Annual motion of Canopus
| Date | Sat, 17 May 2025 |
| Twighlight start | 22:28 |
| Twighlight end | 04:18 |
| Twighlight duration | 6h 50m |
| Rise | Canopus is always down |
| Set | Canopus is always down |
| Elevation at transit | -3° |
| Transit time | 16:16 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 06h 23m 57s", Dec: -52° 41' 44s |
| Magnitude | -1 |
| Constellation | Carina |
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Canopus, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Canopus is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Canopus is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.