Caelum constellation
Caelum (the Chisel) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in January. Its brightest star is α Caeli (magnitude 4.45). Caelum covers 125 square degrees and is the 81st-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Caelum
Facts
| Latin name | Caelum (genitive: Caeli) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Cae |
| Meaning | the Chisel |
| Area | 125 square degrees (81st of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 4.7 h, declination −38° |
| Visible from | latitudes 41° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | January (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | α Caeli |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 7 |
| Named stars (IAU) | none |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Columba, Dorado, Eridanus, Horologium, Lepus, Pictor |
How to find Caelum
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in January evenings: at about 9 pm Caelum stands highest, around 12° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the south, about 87° above the horizon. The months before and after (December and February) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Caelum borders Columba, Dorado, Eridanus, Horologium, Lepus and Pictor.
Stars of Caelum
Caelum has 7 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | α Caeli | 4.45 | F2V | — |
Printable Caelum map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Caelum figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Caelum is introduced by the French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, who charted the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope in 1751–52. Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Caelum
What is the brightest star in Caelum?
α Caeli, at magnitude 4.45.
When can you see Caelum?
Caelum is best seen in the evening in January. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 41° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Caelum?
7 stars in Caelum are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; none of them has an official IAU name.
What does Caelum mean?
Caelum means “the Chisel” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Cae and the genitive, used in star names such as α Caeli, is Caeli.
