The Octans constellation
Oct · Catalogue stars: 4
Why this name?
Octans honours the octant, an instrument for measuring angles. Its scale spans one eighth of a circle, which explains the name.
A little history
Lacaille introduced the constellation in the eighteenth century to honour a measuring instrument of his era. Today, the south celestial pole lies within Octans.
Data
- IAU code
- Oct
- Catalogue stars
- 4
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- HIP 107089 · 3.7ᵐ
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 107089 · 3.7ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 112405 · 4.1ᵐ · A9IV/V
- HIP 70638 · 4.3ᵐ · K2III
- HIP 122 · 4.8ᵐ · K2III
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | never rises | — |
| +55° | never rises | — |
| +45° | never rises | — |
| +30° | never rises | — |
| 0° | 10° | 170° |
| −35° | 45° · 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 | 13:47 |
| February | 11:40 |
| March | 09:54 |
| April | 08:01 |
| May | 06:07 |
| June | 04:01 |
| July | 01:57 |
| August | 23:56 |
| September | 22:03 |
| October | 20:14 |
| November | 18:13 |
| December | 16:05 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Octans?
HIP 107089 — 3.7ᵐ.