Phoenix constellation
Phoenix (the Phoenix) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in November. Its brightest star is Ankaa (magnitude 2.39). Phoenix covers 469 square degrees and is the 37th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Phoenix
Facts
| Latin name | Phoenix (genitive: Phoenicis) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Phe |
| Meaning | the Phoenix |
| Area | 469 square degrees (37th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 0.9 h, declination −48° |
| Visible from | latitudes 32° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | November (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Ankaa |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 38 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 2 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Eridanus, Fornax, Grus, Sculptor, Tucana |
How to find Phoenix
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in November evenings: at about 9 pm Phoenix stands highest, around 2° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the south, about 77° above the horizon. The months before and after (October and December) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Phoenix borders Eridanus, Fornax, Grus, Sculptor and Tucana.
Stars of Phoenix
Phoenix has 38 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankaa | α Phoenicis | 2.39 | K0III | 82 ly |
| — | β Phoenicis | 3.31 | G8III | — |
| — | γ Phoenicis | 3.41 | M0-IIIa | — |
| — | ε Phoenicis | 3.88 | K0III | — |
| Wurren | ζ Phoenicis | 3.92 | B6V+B9V | 291 ly |
| — | κ Phoenicis | 3.94 | A7V | — |
| — | δ Phoenicis | 3.95 | K0III | — |
| — | η Phoenicis | 4.36 | A0IV | — |
| — | ψ Phoenicis | 4.41 | M4III | — |
Printable Phoenix map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Phoenix figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Phoenix is introduced by the Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman in the 1590s and published by Petrus Plancius and Johann Bayer. Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Phoenix
What is the brightest star in Phoenix?
Ankaa, at magnitude 2.39, about 82 light-years away.
When can you see Phoenix?
Phoenix is best seen in the evening in November. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 32° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Phoenix?
38 stars in Phoenix are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 2 of them have official IAU names.
What does Phoenix mean?
Phoenix means “the Phoenix” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Phe and the genitive, used in star names such as α Phoenicis, is Phoenicis.
