Octans constellation
Octans (the Octant) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in September. Its brightest star is ν Octantis (magnitude 3.76). Octans covers 291 square degrees and is the 50th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Octans
Facts
| Latin name | Octans (genitive: Octantis) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Oct |
| Meaning | the Octant |
| Area | 291 square degrees (50th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 21.5 h, declination −85° |
| Visible from | latitudes 0° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | September (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | ν Octantis |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 35 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 1 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Apus, Chamaeleon, Hydrus, Indus, Mensa, Pavo, Tucana |
How to find Octans
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) Octans never rises completely above the horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it never sets and stands highest in the south, about 40° up. The months before and after (August and October) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Octans borders Apus, Chamaeleon, Hydrus, Indus, Mensa, Pavo and Tucana.
Stars of Octans
Octans has 35 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | ν Octantis | 3.76 | K0III | — |
| — | β Octantis | 4.15 | A9IV-V | — |
| — | δ Octantis | 4.32 | K2III | — |
Printable Octans map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Octans figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Octans 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 Octans
What is the brightest star in Octans?
ν Octantis, at magnitude 3.76.
When can you see Octans?
Octans is best seen in the evening in September. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 0° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Octans?
35 stars in Octans 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 Octans mean?
Octans means “the Octant” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Oct and the genitive, used in star names such as ν Octantis, is Octantis.
