Sculptor constellation
Sculptor (the Sculptor) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in November. Its brightest star is α Sculptoris (magnitude 4.31). Sculptor covers 475 square degrees and is the 36th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Sculptor
Facts
| Latin name | Sculptor (genitive: Sculptoris) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Scl |
| Meaning | the Sculptor |
| Area | 475 square degrees (36th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 0.4 h, declination −32° |
| Visible from | latitudes 51° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | November (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | α Sculptoris |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 34 |
| Named stars (IAU) | none |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Aquarius, Cetus, Fornax, Grus, Phoenix, Piscis Austrinus |
How to find Sculptor
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in November evenings: at about 9 pm Sculptor stands highest, around 18° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 87° 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.
Sculptor borders Aquarius, Cetus, Fornax, Grus, Phoenix and Piscis Austrinus.
Stars of Sculptor
Sculptor has 34 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 Sculptoris | 4.31 | B7IIIp | — |
| — | β Sculptoris | 4.37 | B9.5IVpHgMnEu | — |
| — | γ Sculptoris | 4.41 | K1III | — |
Printable Sculptor map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Sculptor figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Sculptor 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 Sculptor
What is the brightest star in Sculptor?
α Sculptoris, at magnitude 4.31.
When can you see Sculptor?
Sculptor is best seen in the evening in November. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 51° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Sculptor?
34 stars in Sculptor 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 Sculptor mean?
Sculptor means “the Sculptor” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Scl and the genitive, used in star names such as α Sculptoris, is Sculptoris.
