Carina constellation
Carina is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the keel of a ship. It is highest in the sky at midnight around February 8, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 20°N to 90°S.
Carina at a glance
- Represents
- the keel of a ship
- Highest at midnight
- February 8
- Highest at 9 pm
- March 25
- Seen whole from
- 20°N to 90°S
- Brightest star
- Canopus
- Stars in the figure
- 15 stars
- Origin
- Part of Argo Navis until the 1750s
When to see Carina
Carina is highest in the sky at midnight around February 8 and at 9 pm around March 25. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 1:30 a.m. |
| February 15 | 11:30 p.m. |
| March 15 | 9:40 p.m. |
| April 15 | 7:40 p.m. |
| May 15 | 5:40 p.m. |
| June 15 | 3:40 p.m. |
| July 15 | 1:40 p.m. |
| August 15 | 11:40 a.m. |
| September 15 | 9:30 a.m. |
| October 15 | 7:40 a.m. |
| November 15 | 5:30 a.m. |
| December 15 | 3:40 a.m. |
Where to look for Carina
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, only the northern stars of Carina rise, low above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Carina rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on February 8, 64° above the southern horizon.
Brightest stars in Carina
| Star | Magnitude |
|---|---|
| Canopus | -0.62 |
| Miaplacidus | 1.67 |
| Avior | 1.86 |
| Aspidiske | 2.21 |
Carina in myth and history
Carina was part of Argo Navis, the ship of Jason and the Argonauts in Ptolemy's list. Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille split the ship into Carina, Puppis and Vela in the 1750s.
Constellations next to Carina
Find Carina in your sky
Questions about Carina
Carina is highest in the sky at midnight around February 8 and at 9 pm around March 25. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Carina rises above the horizon from 20°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 50°N to 90°S.
Canopus is the brightest star in Carina, at magnitude -0.62.
Carina represents the keel of a ship. Carina was part of Argo Navis, the ship of Jason and the Argonauts in Ptolemy's list. Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille split the ship into Carina, Puppis and Vela in the 1750s.