Circinus Constellation | Constellations In The Southern Hemisphere
CIRCINUS CONSTELLATION – In this topic, we are going to know and learn about the southern constellation Circinus , the Compass.
It is a constellation in the southern hemisphere. It means the ‘compass’ in the Latin term and represents the drawing circles.
It is depicted as a pair of dividing compasses used by draughtsmen to measure distances.
The constellation was catalogued by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille to bridge the void between Triangulum Australe and the stars marking Centaurus‘s forefeet.
It was originally named le Compas and placed it next to Triangulum Australe.
It houses the Circinus Galaxy, the X-ray source Circinus X-1, the pulsar PSR B1509-58, the open clusters NGC 5823 and NGC 5715, and the planetary nebula NGC 5315.
It is the fourth of the smallest constellations and occupies an area of about 93 square degrees. It lies in SQ3, the third quadrant of the southern hemisphere.
Circinus belongs to the Lacaille family, along with Antlia, Caelum, Fornax, Horologium, Mensa, Microscopium, Norma, Octans, Pictor, Reticulum, Sculptor, and Telescopium.
Stars
Among the stars include:
- Alpha Circini
- Beta Circini
- Gamma Circini
- HD 129445
READ ALSO: Centaurus Constellation | Constellations In The Southern Hemisphere