- Antlia
Infobox Constellation
name = Antlia
abbreviation = Ant
genitive = Antliae
symbology = the air pump
RA = 10
dec= −30
areatotal = 239
arearank = 62nd
numbermainstars = 3
numberbfstars = 9
numberstarsplanets = 1
numberbrightstars = 0
numbernearbystars = 1
brighteststarname = α Ant
starmagnitude = 4.25
neareststarname =DEN 1048-3956
stardistance = 13.2
numbermessierobjects = 0
meteorshowers = None
bordering = HydraPyxis
VelaCentaurus
latmax = 45
latmin = 90
month = April
notes=Antlia (pron-en|ˈæntliə, _la.
pump , fromAncient Greek : "ἀντλία" - antlia, "bilge-water, filth") is a relatively new constellation as it was only created in the 18th century, being too faint to be acknowledged by the ancient Greeks. The IAU adopted it as one of the 88 modern constellations. Beginning at the north, Antlia is surrounded by the sea snake Hydra, the compassPyxis , the sails (Vela) of the mythological shipArgo and finally the centaurCentaurus .Notable features
Antlia is a faint constellation void of bright stars. The brightest star is α Antliae, a magnitude 4.25m orange giant.
Notable deep sky objects
*
NGC 2997 :Spiral galaxy of type Sc which is inclined 45° to our line of sight.
*NGC 3132 :Planetary nebula , also called "Eight-burst Nebula" or "Southern Ring Nebula". At its heart is a binary star system.
*Antlia Dwarf : This 14.8mdwarf spheroidal galaxy belongs to ourLocal Group of galaxies. It was only discovered as recently as 1997. [ [http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap970423.html APOD: April 23, 1997 - Antlia: A New Galactic Neighbor ] ]History
The French astronomer Abbé
Nicolas Louis de Lacaille created 14 constellations for the southern sky to fill some star-poor regions, among them Antlia. It was originally denominated "Antlia pneumatica" and commemorated theair pump invented by the French physicistDenis Papin . [cite web |author= Star Tales |title= Antlia |url=http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/antlia.htm |accessdate=2007-12-03]There is no mythology attached to Antlia as Lacaille discontinued the tradition of giving names from mythology to constellations and instead chose mostly names of instruments used in science.
Citations
References
* 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.nightskyinfo.com/constellations/antlia/ NightSkyInfo.com: Constellation Antlia]
* [http://www.wikisky.org/?object=hd%2088524&zoom=3 WIKISKY.ORG: Antlia]
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/antlia.htm Star Tales – Antlia]
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