Canopus is the second-brightest star in the night sky, located in the constellation Carina. It is approximately 310 light-years away from Earth and is classified as an A-type supergiant star. Its brightness and position make it an important navigational star for sailors in the Southern Hemisphere. This star has a surface temperature of about 7,500 degrees Celsius, which gives it a bluish-white color. Canopus is often used in astronomy to study stellar evolution and is part of various cultural references in literature and mythology. Its prominence in the sky has made it a significant point of interest for both scientists and stargazers.