The Volans constellation
Vol · Catalogue stars: 6
Why this name?
The constellation depicts a flying fish, an inhabitant of warm seas that can glide above the water on outstretched fins.
A little history
It appeared on European charts of the southern sky in the late sixteenth century. The original Latin name Piscis Volans was later shortened to Volans, retaining the meaning ‘flying’.
Data
- IAU code
- Vol
- Catalogue stars
- 6
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- HIP 41312 · 3.8ᵐ
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 41312 · 3.8ᵐ · K2IIIvar
- HIP 34481 · 3.8ᵐ · G8IIIvar
- HIP 37504 · 3.9ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 35228 · 4.0ᵐ · F6II
- HIP 44382 · 4.0ᵐ · Am
- HIP 39794 · 4.3ᵐ · B6IV
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | never rises | — |
| +55° | never rises | — |
| +45° | never rises | — |
| +30° | never rises | — |
| 0° | 21° | 159° |
| −35° | 56° · 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 | 00:12 |
| February | 22:04 |
| March | 20:19 |
| April | 18:26 |
| May | 16:31 |
| June | 14:25 |
| July | 12:21 |
| August | 10:20 |
| September | 08:27 |
| October | 06:39 |
| November | 04:38 |
| December | 02:29 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Volans?
HIP 41312 — 3.8ᵐ.