As determined by the European Space Agency Hipparcos astrometry satellite,[18] this system lies at a distance of just 11.46 light-years (3.51 parsecs),[2] and is therefore one of Earth's nearest stellar neighbors.

[3] As it continues to expand, the star will eventually swell to about 80 to 150 times its current diameter and become a red or orange color.

The continuous optical monitoring was intended to confirm solar-like oscillations in its brightness observed from Earth and to permit asteroseismology.

[27][28] Photometric measurements from the NASA Wide Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) satellite from 1999 and 2000 showed evidence of granulation (convection near the surface of the star) and solar-like oscillations.

Its existence had been postulated by German astronomer Friedrich Bessel as early as 1844, and, although its orbital elements had been calculated by his countryman Arthur Auwers in 1862 as part of his thesis,[31] Procyon B was not visually confirmed until 1896 when John Martin Schaeberle observed it at the predicted position using the 36-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.

[32] It is more difficult to observe from Earth than Sirius B, due to a greater apparent magnitude difference and smaller angular separation from its primary.

For reasons that remain unclear, the mass of Procyon B is unusually low for a white dwarf star of its type.

[13] Attempts to detect X-ray emission from Procyon with nonimaging, soft X-ray-sensitive detectors prior to 1975 failed.

[35] The X-ray source associated with Procyon AB was observed on 1 April 1979, with the Einstein Observatory high-resolution imager (HRI).

In Greek mythology, Procyon is associated with Maera, a hound belonging to Erigone, daughter of Icarius of Athens.

[40] The constellations in Macedonian folklore represented agricultural items and animals, reflecting their village way of life.

To them, Procyon and Sirius were Volci "the wolves", circling hungrily around Orion which depicted a plough with oxen.

[49] The Kalapalo people of Mato Grosso state in Brazil call Procyon and Canopus Kofongo ("Duck"), with Castor and Pollux representing his hands.

The asterism's appearance signified the coming of the rainy season and increase in food staple manioc, used at feasts to feed guests.

[a] Luyten's Star would also be visible from Procyon, at an apparent magnitude of 4.61, unlike any red dwarfs from Earth.