The Crater constellation
Crt · Catalogue stars: 7
Why this name?
Crater is a drinking vessel. According to one Greek tradition, a crow was supposed to use it to bring water to Apollo.
A little history
The constellation appears in Ptolemy’s catalogue. Old charts show the cup standing on Hydra’s back beside Corvus: a shared legend connects them.
Data
- IAU code
- Crt
- Catalogue stars
- 7
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- HIP 55282 · 3.6ᵐ
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 55282 · 3.6ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 55705 · 4.1ᵐ · A9V
- HIP 54682 · 4.5ᵐ · A1V
- HIP 56633 · 4.7ᵐ · B9.5Vn
- HIP 57283 · 4.7ᵐ · G8III
- HIP 55687 · 4.8ᵐ · K5III
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 14° | 124° |
| +55° | 19° | 119° |
| +45° | 29° | 113° |
| +30° | 44° | 109° |
| 0° | 74° | 106° |
| −35° | 71° | 110° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 03:38 |
| February | 01:30 |
| March | 23:45 |
| April | 21:52 |
| May | 19:57 |
| June | 17:51 |
| July | 15:47 |
| August | 13:46 |
| September | 11:53 |
| October | 10:04 |
| November | 08:04 |
| December | 05:55 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Crater?
HIP 55282 — 3.6ᵐ.