What is the Argo Navis?

The Argo Navis was a large Constellation in the Southern Hemisphere which consisted of stars from the current constellations of Carina (The Keel), Puppis (The Stern) and Vela (The Sail). It was one of the original 48 constellations that Ptolemy created in ancient times. Over time, it was found to be a bit too big so it was broken into the three constellations that we know today in the 18th century. Argo Navis is nearly 30% larger than the largest current constellation, Hydra.

It was first broken up by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille who found that it contained too many stars to record and study. He proposed the break up of the constellation into the three constellations today. Although not taken seriously, it was not until it was reproposed by Sir John Herschel that it did get officially broken. Sir John Herschel is the son of Sir William Herschel, the famous German born British astronomer who discovered Uranus .

Image created using Stellarium, an awesome free astronomical application.

Although it might seem that it was part of the original, but Pyxis (Compass) is not part of the original Navis. Pyxis was at one time going to be renamed and redesigned so that it was going to seem part of the ship but it survived.

The legend of the ship is recounted in the story "Jason and the Argonauts", where in brief, Jason uses the ship to travel to Colchi to retrieve the fleece for his uncle. His Uncle had assumed power and believed the mission to obtain the fleece would result in Jason's death.

The brightest star in Argo Navis would Canopus which is also one of the brightest stars in the whole night sky, north and south. The brightest star in the sky is Sirius which can also be seen in the picture.

Another star of interest is Regor which is more officially known as Gamma Velorum. Regor is an unofficial name of the star. Gamma Velorum was nicknamed as was by Gus Grissom who named it in honour of Roger Chaffee by changing his name round. What is interesting about the star though is that it is one of two Wolf-Rayet Stars that can been seen without the need of a telescope. The other is Theta Muscae.

The Puppid-Velids meteor shower radiates from a location on the borders of both constellations hence its name. The meteor shower is not a major storm but does occur every year at the beginning of December.