Circinus constellation
Circinus (the Compass) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in June. Its brightest star is α Circini (magnitude 3.19). Circinus covers 93 square degrees and is the 85th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Circinus
Facts
| Latin name | Circinus (genitive: Circini) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Cir |
| Meaning | the Compass |
| Area | 93 square degrees (85th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 14.8 h, declination −63° |
| Visible from | latitudes 19° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | June (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | α Circini |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 21 |
| Named stars (IAU) | none |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Apus, Centaurus, Lupus, Musca, Norma, Triangulum Australe |
How to find Circinus
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) Circinus never rises completely above the horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it never sets and stands highest in the south, about 62° up. The months before and after (May and July) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Circinus borders Apus, Centaurus, Lupus, Musca, Norma and Triangulum Australe.
Stars of Circinus
Circinus has 21 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 Circini | 3.19 | ApSrEuCr: | — |
| — | β Circini | 4.07 | A3V | — |
Printable Circinus map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Circinus figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Circinus 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 Circinus
What is the brightest star in Circinus?
α Circini, at magnitude 3.19.
When can you see Circinus?
Circinus is best seen in the evening in June. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 19° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Circinus?
21 stars in Circinus 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 Circinus mean?
Circinus means “the Compass” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Cir and the genitive, used in star names such as α Circini, is Circini.
