Circinus

Circinus
Circinus
Constellation
Circinus
List of stars in Circinus
Abbreviation Cir
Genitive Circini
Pronunciation /ˈsɜrsɨnəs/ Círcinus, genitive /ˈsɜrsɨnaɪ/
Symbolism the Compass
Right ascension 15 h
Declination −60°
Quadrant SQ3
Area 93 sq. deg. (85th)
Main stars 3
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
9
Stars with planets 1
Stars brighter than 3.00m 0
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) 0
Brightest star α Cir (3.18m)
Nearest star α Cir
(53.50 ly, 16.40 pc)
Messier objects 0
Meteor showers None
Bordering
constellations
Centaurus
Musca
Apus
Triangulum Australe
Norma
Lupus
Visible at latitudes between +30° and −90°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of June.

The constellation Circinus is a small constellation in the southern sky, first defined in the 18th century. Its name is Latin for compass, referring to the drafting tool used for drawing circles; it should not be confused with Pyxis, a constellation that represents a mariner's compass.

Contents

History

Circinus was introduced in the 18th century by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, whose fascination with secular science led him to name the constellations he defined after scientific instruments.

Location

Circinus is located at a declination of −50 to −60 degrees, and hence the whole constellation is visible only south of the 30° north latitude.

References

External links

Coordinates: Sky map 15h 00m 00s, −60° 00′ 00″


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Circinus — Nombre Latino Circinus Abreviatura Cir …   Wikipedia Español

  • Circinus X-1 — from the Chandra X ray Observatory. Circinus X 1 is an X ray binary star system that includes a neutron star. Observation of Circinus X 1 in July 2007 revealed the presence of X ray jets normally found in black hole systems; it is the first of… …   Wikipedia

  • Circĭnus — (lat.), 1) Kreis; 2) (Med.), so v. w. Zona …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Circinus — [sʉr′sə nəs] n. [L: see CIRCINATE] a S constellation near Centaurus …   English World dictionary

  • Circinus X-1 — Daten zu Circinus X 1 Sternbild Zirkel Position (Äquinoktium: J2000.0) Rektaszension 15h 20m 40,8s Deklination 57° 10′ 00″ …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Circinus — Daten des Sternbildes Zirkel Deutscher Name Zirkel Lateinischer Name Circinus Lateinischer Genitiv Circini Lateinische Abkürzung Cir Rektaszension 13h 38m bis 15h 30m Deklination …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Circinus Galaxy — A Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image of the Circinus Galaxy. Credit: HST/NASA/ESA. Observation data (J2000 epoch) Constellation …   Wikipedia

  • Circinus — /serr seuh neuhs/, n., gen. Circini / nuy /. Astron. the Compasses, a small southern constellation between Triangulum and Centaurus. [1830 40; < L] * * * …   Universalium

  • Circinus — noun A small constellation of the southern winter sky, said to resemble a compass. It lies between the constellations of Centaurus and Triangulum Australe …   Wiktionary

  • Circinus — Cịrcinus,   Abkürzung Cir, lateinische Bezeichnung für das Sternbild Zirkel am südlichen Himmel …   Universal-Lexikon

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