Canopus — Star in Carina

Canopus is the second brightest star in the sky at magnitude -0.72, a yellow-white supergiant of spectral type F0II located about 310 light-years from Earth. It is intrinsically very luminous — roughly 10,700 times the Sun's luminosity — making it the most luminous star within 700 light-years. Its surface temperature of about 7,400 K gives it a warm white color.

Canopus is visible from latitudes south of about 37°N, appearing as a brilliant white star low on the southern horizon during winter evenings from locations like the southern United States or Mediterranean. From the southern hemisphere it rides high and is unmistakable. It lies far south of Sirius. Best observed from January through April.

Named after the navigator of the Greek fleet during the Trojan War, or possibly after the ancient Egyptian port city of Canopus. It was used as a navigation reference star by spacecraft including Voyager and Mars missions. The ancient Egyptians and Arabs used it extensively for navigation. It was the brightest star visible to the ancient Greeks that was not circumpolar.