Procyon is also the
mammalian genus to which
Raccoons belong.
Procyon (α
Canis Minoris) is a brilliant
star that receives its name from the fact that it precedes the star
Sirius as it travels across the
Earth's sky.
Procyon is a
vertex of the
Winter Triangle.
These two "dog stars" are referred to in the most ancient literature and were venerated by the
Babylonians and the
Egyptians.
Astrologically, Procyon portends wealth, fame, and good fortune.
Like Sirius, Procyon (also called Procyon A)
has a faint white dwarf companion, Procyon B.
It is one of the closest stars to Earth's solar system, being only 11.4 light years away.