Puppis (The Stern)

Southern constellation, the poop deck of the great ship Argo.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Lacaille split the ancient Argo Navis into Carina, Puppis and Vela in 1752, and Puppis received the ship's stern.
• Naos, its brightest star, is one of the hottest and most luminous stars visible to the naked eye.
• The region is exceptionally rich in open clusters, including M46 and M47.

Specifications & Metrics

• BRIGHTEST STAR: Naos (ζ Pup)
• HEMISPHERE: Southern
• BEST VIEWED: February