Pictor constellation
Pictor (the Painter's Easel) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in January. Its brightest star is α Pictoris (magnitude 3.27). Pictor covers 247 square degrees and is the 59th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Pictor
Facts
| Latin name | Pictor (genitive: Pictoris) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Pic |
| Meaning | the Painter's Easel |
| Area | 247 square degrees (59th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 5.6 h, declination −54° |
| Visible from | latitudes 26° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | January (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | α Pictoris |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 23 |
| Named stars (IAU) | none |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Caelum, Carina, Columba, Dorado, Puppis, Volans |
How to find Pictor
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) Pictor never rises completely above the horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the south, about 71° above the horizon. The months before and after (December and February) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Pictor borders Caelum, Carina, Columba, Dorado, Puppis and Volans.
Stars of Pictor
Pictor has 23 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 Pictoris | 3.27 | A7IV | — |
| — | β Pictoris | 3.85 | A5V | — |
Printable Pictor map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Pictor figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Pictor 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 Pictor
What is the brightest star in Pictor?
α Pictoris, at magnitude 3.27.
When can you see Pictor?
Pictor is best seen in the evening in January. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 26° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Pictor?
23 stars in Pictor 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 Pictor mean?
Pictor means “the Painter's Easel” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Pic and the genitive, used in star names such as α Pictoris, is Pictoris.
