Reticulum

Infobox Constellation
name = Reticulum
abbreviation = Ret
genitive = Reticuli
symbology = the Reticle
RA = 4
dec= −60
areatotal = 114
arearank = 82nd
numbermainstars = 4
numberbfstars = 11
numberstarsplanets = 4
numberbrightstars = none
numbernearbystars = 2
brighteststarname = α Reticuli
starmagnitude = 3.4
neareststarname = ζ² Reticuli
stardistance = 39.38
numbermessierobjects = none | meteorshowers =?????
?????
bordering =Horologium
Dorado
Hydrus
latmax = 23
latmin = 90
month = January
notes=

Reticulum (pronEng|rɨˈtɪkjələm, _la. reticle), is one of the minor southern constellations. It was introduced in the early 17th century by the astronomer Isaac Habrecht, who named it Rhombus. [ [http://www.atlascoelestis.com/Bartsch.htm Atlas Coelestis: Atlas 55 - Jacob Bartsch] ] It was later renamed by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille to commemorate the reticle, which was a scientific instrument used to measure star positions.

Since it was introduced in the 18th century, there is no earlier mythology associated with it.

Notable Stars

* Epsilon Reticuli has an extrasolar planet.
* Zeta Reticuli is a pair of stars similar to the Sun. These stars gained some notoriety in ufology when they were alleged to be the home of an alien civilization. (See Betty and Barney Hill abduction.) Possibly as a consequence, it was chosen to be the locale of the movie "Alien".

ee also

* List of stars in Reticulum

References

Footnotes

Notations

* Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). "Stars and Planets Guide", Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

* [http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/reticulum/constell.html The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Reticulum]
* [http://www.starrynightphotos.com/constellations/reticulum.htm Starry Night Photography: Reticulum Constellation]
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/reticulum.htm Star Tales – Reticulum]