Fornax constellation
Fornax (the Furnace) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in December. Its brightest star is Dalim (magnitude 3.87). Fornax covers 398 square degrees and is the 41st-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Fornax
Facts
| Latin name | Fornax (genitive: Fornacis) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | For |
| Meaning | the Furnace |
| Area | 398 square degrees (41st of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 2.8 h, declination −32° |
| Visible from | latitudes 50° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | December (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Dalim |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 25 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 1 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Cetus, Eridanus, Phoenix, Sculptor |
How to find Fornax
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in December evenings: at about 9 pm Fornax stands highest, around 18° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 87° above the horizon. The months before and after (November and January) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Fornax borders Cetus, Eridanus, Phoenix and Sculptor.
Stars of Fornax
Fornax has 25 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalim | α Fornacis | 3.87 | F8V | 46 ly |
| — | β Fornacis | 4.46 | K0-IIIFe-0.5 | — |
Printable Fornax map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Fornax figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Fornax 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 Fornax
What is the brightest star in Fornax?
Dalim, at magnitude 3.87, about 46 light-years away.
When can you see Fornax?
Fornax is best seen in the evening in December. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 50° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Fornax?
25 stars in Fornax are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 1 of them have official IAU names.
What does Fornax mean?
Fornax means “the Furnace” in Latin. Its abbreviation is For and the genitive, used in star names such as α Fornacis, is Fornacis.
