CANES VENATICI

Canes Venatici (the Hunting Dogs) ride the sky south of the Big Dipper. This modern constellation is marked principally by Cor Caroli and considerably dimmer Chara. These two and the star below Chara make the southern of the two dogs, originally called by the star's name "Chara." The northern dog, "Asterion," is marked by the little clump of stars up and to the left of Cor Caroli. Reddish Y Canum Venaticorum is one of the brightest carbon stars in the sky. To the south, off the picture toward the bottom, is the lacy cluster that makes much of the lovely constellation Coma Berenices (Berenice's Hair). Together they make a fine sight to the west of Bootes.