Canis Major Vintage Star Map Postcard

Canis Major is a constellation of the northern hemisphere's winter skies. The name means Great (or Greater) Dog. It is often associated with the constellation of Orion, the Hunter, following him across the sky along with Canis Minor (the Lesser Dog). The constellation includes Sirius, the Dog Star, also known as the Shining One or, scientifically, Alpha Canis Major, which is the brightest star in the night sky. The name Sirius, of course, has been used as a name in fiction on more than one occasion. This illustration is a vintage picture from Urania's Mirror, published in 1825 and now in the public domain.