Sextans

Sextans

Constellation
List of stars in Sextans
Abbreviation	Sex
Genitive	Sextantis, Sextansis
Pronunciation	/ˈsɛkstənz/, genitive /sɛksˈtæntɨs/
Symbolism	the Sextant
Right ascension	10
Declination	0
Area	314 sq. deg. (47th)
Main stars	3
Bayer/Flamsteed stars	28
Stars with known planets	3
Bright stars	0
Nearby stars	1
Brightest star	α Sex (4.49m)
Nearest star	LHS 292 (14.8 ly)
Messier objects	None
Meteor showers	Sextantids
Bordering constellations	Leo Hydra Crater
Visible at latitudes between +80° and −80°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of April.

Sextans is a minor equatorial constellation which was introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius. Its name is Latin for the astronomical sextant, an instrument that Hevelius made frequent use of in his observations.

Notable features

Sextans is not a particularly bright constellation. It has only one star above the fifth magnitude, namely α Sextantis at 4.49^m. The constellation contains a few double stars, including γ, 35, and 40 Sextantis. There are few notable variable stars, including β, 25, 23 Sextantis, and LHS 292.

References

• Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Sextans
• Star Tales – Sextans

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sextans

Coordinates: 10^h 00^m 00^s, +00° 00′ 00″