Columba constellation
Columba (the Dove) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in February. Its brightest star is Phact (magnitude 2.64). Columba covers 270 square degrees and is the 54th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Columba
Facts
| Latin name | Columba (genitive: Columbae) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Col |
| Meaning | the Dove |
| Area | 270 square degrees (54th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 5.8 h, declination −35° |
| Visible from | latitudes 47° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | February (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Phact |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 45 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 3 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Canis Major, Caelum, Lepus, Pictor, Puppis |
How to find Columba
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in February evenings: at about 9 pm Columba stands highest, around 15° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the south, about 90° above the horizon. The months before and after (January and March) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Columba borders Canis Major, Caelum, Lepus, Pictor and Puppis.
Stars of Columba
Columba has 45 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phact | α Columbae | 2.64 | B7IVe | 286 ly |
| Wazn | β Columbae | 3.12 | K2III | 90 ly |
| — | δ Columbae | 3.85 | G7II | — |
| — | ε Columbae | 3.87 | K1IIIa | — |
| — | η Columbae | 3.96 | K0III | — |
| — | γ Columbae | 4.36 | B2.5IV | — |
| — | κ Columbae | 4.37 | K0.5IIIa | — |
Printable Columba map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Columba figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Columba is introduced by the Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius around 1600. Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Columba
What is the brightest star in Columba?
Phact, at magnitude 2.64, about 286 light-years away.
When can you see Columba?
Columba is best seen in the evening in February. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 47° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Columba?
45 stars in Columba are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 3 of them have official IAU names.
What does Columba mean?
Columba means “the Dove” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Col and the genitive, used in star names such as α Columbae, is Columbae.
