Reticulum constellation
Reticulum (the Reticle) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in January. Its brightest star is α Reticuli (magnitude 3.35). Reticulum covers 114 square degrees and is the 82nd-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Reticulum
Facts
| Latin name | Reticulum (genitive: Reticuli) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Ret |
| Meaning | the Reticle |
| Area | 114 square degrees (82nd of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 3.9 h, declination −60° |
| Visible from | latitudes 23° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | January (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | α Reticuli |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 16 |
| Named stars (IAU) | none |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Dorado, Horologium, Hydrus |
How to find Reticulum
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) Reticulum never rises completely above the horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it never sets and stands highest in the south, about 65° up. The months before and after (December and February) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Reticulum borders Dorado, Horologium and Hydrus.
Stars of Reticulum
Reticulum has 16 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 Reticuli | 3.35 | G8II-III | — |
| — | β Reticuli | 3.85 | K2+III | — |
| — | ε Reticuli | 4.44 | K2IVa | — |
Printable Reticulum map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Reticulum figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Reticulum 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 Reticulum
What is the brightest star in Reticulum?
α Reticuli, at magnitude 3.35.
When can you see Reticulum?
Reticulum is best seen in the evening in January. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 23° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Reticulum?
16 stars in Reticulum 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 Reticulum mean?
Reticulum means “the Reticle” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Ret and the genitive, used in star names such as α Reticuli, is Reticuli.
