Horologium constellation
Horologium (the Pendulum Clock) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in December. Its brightest star is α Horologii (magnitude 3.86). Horologium covers 249 square degrees and is the 58th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Horologium
Facts
| Latin name | Horologium (genitive: Horologii) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Hor |
| Meaning | the Pendulum Clock |
| Area | 249 square degrees (58th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 3.4 h, declination −53° |
| Visible from | latitudes 23° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | December (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | α Horologii |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 19 |
| Named stars (IAU) | none |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Caelum, Dorado, Eridanus, Hydrus, Reticulum |
How to find Horologium
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) Horologium never rises completely above the horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the south, about 72° 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.
Horologium borders Caelum, Dorado, Eridanus, Hydrus and Reticulum.
Stars of Horologium
Horologium has 19 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 Horologii | 3.86 | K1III | — |
| — | HR 868 | 4.0 | M7IIIe | — |
Printable Horologium map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Horologium figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Horologium 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 Horologium
What is the brightest star in Horologium?
α Horologii, at magnitude 3.86.
When can you see Horologium?
Horologium is best seen in the evening in December. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 23° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Horologium?
19 stars in Horologium 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 Horologium mean?
Horologium means “the Pendulum Clock” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Hor and the genitive, used in star names such as α Horologii, is Horologii.
