Canes Venatici
The Hunting Dogs · CVn
Quadrant
NQ3
Area
465 sq°
Best Viewing
May
Planetary Nature
Venus (traditional)
Cataloged Stars
1 star in catalogAstrological Influence
Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs, represents the keen instinct to pursue, track, and follow a trail to its conclusion. Its influence suggests a sharp, investigative nature, loyalty to a task, and the ability to detect subtle traces that others miss. The constellation's association with the hunt carried by Bootes the Herdsman adds a theme of purposeful pursuit directed by a wiser, steadier hand.
Spiritual & Symbolic Meaning
The Hunting Dogs teach the spiritual value of loyal pursuit: following truth with single-minded devotion without becoming lost in the chase. Their leash connects them to the Herdsman (Bootes), reminding us that the most effective seeking happens within a framework of guidance and purpose.
The lesson is that devotion and discernment must work together; passion without direction is just wandering.
Mythology & Legend
Canes Venatici has no ancient mythology; it was created by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius in 1687 from stars that previously belonged to no constellation. Hevelius depicted the two dogs (named Asterion and Chara in some sources) being held on a leash by Bootes the Herdsman as they chase the Great Bear (Ursa Major) around the pole.
The names Asterion ("starry") and Chara ("dear" or "joy") suggest a blend of celestial aspiration and loyal affection. The constellation's creation filled a gap in the northern sky and gave identity to a region containing some remarkable deep-sky objects.
Created by Hevelius in 1687 and published in his Prodromus Astronomiae (1690). Despite its late invention, it contains the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), one of the first galaxies identified as a spiral, and M3, one of the brightest globular clusters in the northern sky. The constellation was quickly adopted by other astronomers and became one of the 88 IAU constellations.
Names Across Cultures
In Literature
“The two dogs Asterion and Chara, that Boötes holds in leash to pursue the Bear about the Pole”
Notable Stars
Cor Caroli (Alpha Canum Venaticorum), "the Heart of Charles," is the constellation's only bright star and carries a unique history. Named in honor of King Charles I of England (or Charles II, sources vary), it was given this name by the astronomer Charles Scarborough, who claimed the star shone with particular brilliance on the night of Charles II's return to London in 1660.
Astrologically, Cor Caroli is associated with a refined, somewhat aristocratic nature, along with keen perceptiveness and a love of beauty. It is a well-known magnetic variable star, and its Robsonian influence is given as a Saturn-Venus nature, suggesting dignified reserve combined with aesthetic sensitivity.
Observing Notes
Canes Venatici is best observed from March through June in the Northern Hemisphere. It lies directly below the handle of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major), making it easy to locate. Cor Caroli is the brightest star in the region between the Dipper's handle and the bright star Arcturus.
The constellation is a deep-sky paradise: the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), the Sunflower Galaxy (M63), and the globular cluster M3 are all within its borders. Best observed from northern latitudes; largely invisible from the far Southern Hemisphere.
Related Constellations
Bootes
The Herdsman holds the Hunting Dogs' leash; the two constellations form a conceptual pair in the spring sky
Ursa Major
The Great Bear is the quarry the Hunting Dogs pursue in their eternal circumpolar chase
Coma Berenices
Neighboring constellation to the south; together they fill the region between the Big Dipper and Virgo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the brightest star in the Canes Venatici constellation?
Cor Caroli (Alpha Canum Venaticorum) is the brightest star in Canes Venatici, located at approximately 24 degrees Virgo in 2026. Its name means 'Heart of Charles,' named in honor of King Charles I of England. Cor Caroli carries a satellite nature and is associated with a love of hunting, painting, and refined artistic pursuits. It marks the collar of one of the two hunting dogs held on leash by the neighboring figure of Bootes.
What is the mythology behind Canes Venatici?
Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs, are a relatively modern constellation formalized by Johannes Hevelius in 1687. They represent the two dogs (Asterion and Chara) held by the herdsman Bootes as he drives the bears (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor) around the pole. Despite their recent formal status, the stars in this area were associated with dogs and hunting in various traditions. The constellation sits in a relatively sparse region of sky but hosts several famous deep-sky objects including the Whirlpool Galaxy.
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