Procyon

Procyon is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor and at only 11.4 light years[1] distance it is one of the closest of bright stars. Procyon is actually a binary system with the larger, Procyon A, being a bright main-sequence star and Procyon B it's white dwarf companion.

Image: Procyon's position in Canis Minor

Procyon is one of three stars which form the asterism, the Winter Triangle.

References

[1] Brilliant Starsby Patrick Moore - ISBN 0-304-34903-8

Sirius

Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major, is the brightest star in the night sky. This is not however due to it's size or true brightness (it's absolute magnitude) but the fact Sirius is only 8.7 light years[1] from Earth which in astronomical terms is quite close.

Image: Sirius' poisition in Canis Major

Sirius is actually two stars, a binary system comprising of Sirius A (The Dog Star) a white main-sequence star and Sirius B (The Pup-Star), a white dwarf star.

In Britain, Sirius is best viewed in late winter and appears as a very bright blue-white star south-east of the constellation Orion and is one of three stars which form the asterism The Winter Triangle.

References

[1] Brilliant Starsby Patrick Moore - ISBN 0-304-34903-8