The Dorado constellation
Dor · Catalogue stars: 7
Why this name?
The name Dorado is associated with the brightly coloured dolphinfish. Some old charts instead depicted a swordfish here.
A little history
The constellation appeared on European charts around the turn of the seventeenth century, based on observations by southern voyagers. Its varying depictions show how the figure gradually became established.
Data
- IAU code
- Dor
- Catalogue stars
- 7
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- HIP 21281 · 3.3ᵐ
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 21281 · 3.3ᵐ · A0V:
- HIP 26069 · 3.8ᵐ · F6Ia
- HIP 19893 · 4.3ᵐ · F4III
- HIP 27100 · 4.3ᵐ · A7V
- HIP 27890 · 4.7ᵐ · K1III/IV
- HIP 23693 · 4.7ᵐ · F7V
- HIP 24372 · 4.8ᵐ · K2III
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | never rises | — |
| +55° | never rises | — |
| +45° | never rises | — |
| +30° | 1° | 173° |
| 0° | 31° | 149° |
| −35° | 66° · never sets | — |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 21:26 |
| February | 19:19 |
| March | 17:34 |
| April | 15:40 |
| May | 13:46 |
| June | 11:40 |
| July | 09:36 |
| August | 07:35 |
| September | 05:42 |
| October | 03:53 |
| November | 01:52 |
| December | 23:44 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Dorado?
HIP 21281 — 3.3ᵐ.