The Eridanus constellation
Eri · Catalogue stars: 47
Why this name?
Eridanus is a celestial river. According to one Greek myth, Phaethon fell into it after losing control of the Sun’s chariot.
A little history
Ancient authors identified Eridanus with different earthly rivers. As the southern sky became better known, European maps extended its chain of stars as far as Achernar.
Data
- IAU code
- Eri
- Catalogue stars
- 47
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- Achernar · 0.5ᵐ
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 20042 · 3.5ᵐ · B9V
- HIP 10602 · 3.6ᵐ · B8IV-V
- HIP 9007 · 3.7ᵐ · G5IV
- HIP 15474 · 3.7ᵐ · M3/M4III
- HIP 21444 · 3.9ᵐ · B2III SB
- HIP 22109 · 4.0ᵐ · B5IV
- HIP 14146 · 4.1ᵐ · A4V
- HIP 12486 · 4.1ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 17874 · 4.2ᵐ · G8III
- HIP 17651 · 4.2ᵐ · F3/F5V
- HIP 11407 · 4.2ᵐ · B5IV
- HIP 23972 · 4.3ᵐ · B2IVn
- HIP 16611 · 4.3ᵐ · B9V
- HIP 17797 · 4.3ᵐ · A+...
- HIP 21763 · 4.3ᵐ · M3/M4III
- HIP 22701 · 4.4ᵐ · A9IV
- HIP 17593 · 4.4ᵐ · M1III
- HIP 18255 · 4.5ᵐ · G8III
- HIP 12843 · 4.5ᵐ · F5/F6V
- HIP 21248 · 4.5ᵐ · K0III
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 1° | 163° |
| +55° | 6° | 147° |
| +45° | 16° | 133° |
| +30° | 31° | 124° |
| 0° | 61° | 119° |
| −35° | 84° | 126° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 20:01 |
| February | 17:54 |
| March | 16:09 |
| April | 14:16 |
| May | 12:21 |
| June | 10:15 |
| July | 08:11 |
| August | 06:10 |
| September | 04:17 |
| October | 02:28 |
| November | 00:28 |
| December | 22:19 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Eridanus?
Achernar — 0.5ᵐ.