The region from the eta Carinae nebula to Sirius is interesting for observers.
This image shows Sirius at the top, Canopus under Sirius and NGC 3372 = eta Car at lower left.
http://www.wikisky.org/?ra=8.3066712...mg_source=DSS2
It is 36 degrees from Sirius to Canopus. The false cross is between eta Car and Canopus.
Move the mouse over the bright stars to see their names.
There is a very large J shaped nebula running from eta CMa to lambda Vel.
This includes the Gum nebula and the Vela SNR and runs from dec -25 to dec -53.
Slide the bar on the left to zoom in.
See also:
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclo...um_Nebula.html
I can see part of this nebula when I move my 12" scope with a UHC filter from gamma2 Vel to delta Vel.
Gamma Velorum is the brightest
Wolf-Rayet star in the sky and is very hot, about 34,000K.