Zeta Puppis is a supergiant and very luminous star, with an absolute magnitude of about -6.

The region around zeta Puppis is extremely rich. In particular two star clusters -- NGC 2477 and NGC 2451 -- are just to the west: binoculars.

Zeta is also a convenient entry point for exploring the fainter constellation Pyxis, to the northeast. Place zeta at the lower right and you'll see a group of stars at the northeast: binoculars. Putting these stars to the lower right will bring into view beta Pyxidis and, above it, alpha Pyxidis.