General presentation

The constellation of Carina is one of the largest and brightest in the southern sky. Visible mainly from the southern hemisphere, it was once part of the immense constellation of Ship Argo before being divided into three distinct constellations: Carina, Stern and Sails. La Carène is famous for hosting Canopus, the second brightest star in the night sky, as well as the spectacular Carène Nebula, a huge star-forming region.

Shape of the Carina constellation

The constellation of Carina takes the form of a keel and the lower part of a large ship. Its stars draw an elongated and slightly curved figure that evokes the hull of a boat. Although its shape is less obvious than that of other constellations, Canopus is an excellent point of reference to identify this vast region of the southern sky.

Stars of the Carina constellation