Constellation · Pup
Puppis
The Stern
The largest section of the old Argo Navis, lying in the Milky Way and holding several open clusters, including M46 and M47.
Magnitude 2.21
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (winter in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Named stars in Puppis
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Naos (Zeta Puppis)mag 2.21
- Tureis (Rho Puppis)mag 2.83
- Azmidi (Xi Puppis)mag 3.34
- Markab (Kappa¹ Puppis)mag 3.80
Can you see Puppis from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Puppis |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 40°N | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 60°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
Questions about Puppis
When is Puppis best seen?
Puppis stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in February. That makes winter evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Puppis?
The brightest star in Puppis is Naos (Zeta Puppis), magnitude 2.21.
Where on Earth can you see Puppis?
The whole of Puppis can be seen from latitudes between about 90°S and 39°N. From 40°N: Only part of it ever clears the horizon. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Puppis mean?
Puppis is Latin for "the Stern". A section of the ancient Argo Navis, split up by Lacaille in the 1750s.