Constellation | |
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Abbreviation | Oct[1] |
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Genitive | Octantis |
Pronunciation | /ˈɒktænz/, genitive /ɒkˈtæntɪs/ |
Symbolism | the Octant |
Right ascension | 00h to 24h [1] |
Declination | −74.30° to −90°[1] |
Quadrant | SQ4 |
Area | 291 sq. deg. (50th) |
Main stars | 3 |
Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 27 |
Stars with planets | 3 |
Stars brighter than 3.00m | 0 |
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 1 |
Brightest star | ν Oct (3.73m) |
Messier objects | 0 |
Meteor showers | 0 |
Bordering constellations | Tucana Indus Pavo Apus Chamaeleon Mensa Hydrus |
Visible at latitudes between +0° and −90°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of October. Circumpolar |
Octans (/ˈɒktænz/) is a faint constellation located in the deep Southern Sky. Its name is Latin for the eighth part of a circle, but it is named after the octant, a navigational instrument. Devised by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1752, Octans remains one of the 88 modern constellations. The southern celestial pole is located within the boundaries of Octans.