Canopus

The second-brightest star — a southern-sky giant.

Canopus is far more powerful than Sirius but about 36 times farther away. From mid-northern latitudes it barely clears the southern horizon, if at all.

Understand it

Why are stars different colours?

A star's colour tells its temperature: blue stars are hottest, red ones coolest.

What is a light-year?

The distance light travels in a year: about 9.5 trillion km.