The Pictor constellation
Pic · Catalogue stars: 4
Why this name?
Pictor, the Painter, is associated with an artist’s equipment. Lacaille originally depicted an easel and palette here.
A little history
The constellation appeared in the eighteenth century under the longer name ‘Painter’s Easel’. Its international name was later shortened to Pictor, meaning ‘painter’.
Data
- IAU code
- Pic
- Catalogue stars
- 4
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- HIP 32607 · 3.2ᵐ
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 32607 · 3.2ᵐ · A7IV
- HIP 27321 · 3.9ᵐ · A3V
- HIP 27530 · 4.5ᵐ · K1III
- HIP 29276 · 4.7ᵐ · B0.5IV
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | never rises | — |
| +55° | never rises | — |
| +45° | never rises | — |
| +30° | 3° | 164° |
| 0° | 33° | 147° |
| −35° | 68° · 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 | 22:23 |
| February | 20:16 |
| March | 18:31 |
| April | 16:37 |
| May | 14:43 |
| June | 12:37 |
| July | 10:33 |
| August | 08:32 |
| September | 06:39 |
| October | 04:50 |
| November | 02:49 |
| December | 00:41 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Pictor?
HIP 32607 — 3.2ᵐ.