Carina
Keel (Carinae)
Carina, the Keel, was once part of the massive ancient constellation Argo Navis (the ship of the Argonauts) before being divided into three parts. It contains Canopus, the second brightest star in the entire night sky, and the spectacular Carina Nebula, one of the largest and brightest nebulae visible from Earth. This southern constellation is rich with stars, clusters, and nebulae.
📜 Mythology
Carina represents the keel of the ship Argo, built by the shipwright Argus with the help of the goddess Athena. The Argo carried Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. The ship was the fastest and most magnificent vessel ever built, and Athena herself fitted a prophetic timber from the sacred oak grove of Dodona into its prow. The massive constellation Argo Navis was divided into Carina (Keel), Puppis (Stern), and Vela (Sails) by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century.
💡 Facts
- ✦Canopus is 310 light-years away and about 10,000 times more luminous than the Sun
- ✦The Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) is one of the largest star-forming regions in the Milky Way, four times larger than the Orion Nebula
- ✦Eta Carinae, within the nebula, is one of the most massive and unstable stars known, and may explode as a supernova soon