Constellations of the Month: January – Caelum:
We continue January with the constellation of Caelum, “The Chisel.”
Caelum constellation map courtesy of Openverse
Caelum, “The Chisel” – Caelum is a constellation is situated in the southern hemisphere. Its designation derives from the Latin term for “the chisel.” This small and dim constellation was initially referred to as Caela Sculptoris, meaning the sculptor’s chisel. It is among the 14 constellations established by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille during the 18th century.
NGC 1679 legacy dr10 courtesy of Openverse
Key points regarding Caelum:
- Meaning: The term “Caelum” translates to “The Chisel” in Latin.
- Notable stars: The constellation of Caelum lacks significant deep sky objects and features only two stars that exceed the fifth magnitude in brightness. The most luminous star in the constellation, Alpha Caeli, has a magnitude of 4.44, making it challenging to observe from areas affected by light pollution. The closest star, HD 30876, is classified as K2V and is located approximately 57.86 light years away from Earth. The constellation Caelum does not feature any stars with designated names.
- Other features: Caelum contains the dim eclipsing binary star RR Caeli and the peculiar quasar HE0450-2958, which is remarkable for seemingly lacking a host galaxy. Notable deep sky objects within Caelum include the galaxies NGC 1679, IC 2106, and NGC 1571. Additionally, there are no significant meteor showers linked to this constellation, nor does it include any Messier objects.
- Mythology: Caelum is devoid of any associated myths. It was one of the constellations established by the French astronomer Lacaille during the 18th century. Lacaille chose to name his constellations after various instruments and tools rather than myths or legends. Caelum is represented as a sculptor’s chisel. It made its debut in Lacaille’s 1756 map of the southern stars, where it was referred to as “les Burins,” illustrating a pair of crossed burins linked by a ribbon. (Burins are precise engraving instruments.) In Johann Bode’s star atlas, Uranographia, the constellation retained the lengthier designation, Caela Scalptoris.
- Visibility: Caelum ranks as the eighth smallest constellation, covering a mere 125 square degrees in the celestial sphere. It is situated in the first quadrant of the southern hemisphere (SQ1) and is observable at latitudes ranging from +40° to -90°. The constellations that border Caelum include Columba, Dorado, Eridanus, Horologium, Lepus, and Pictor. Caelum is part of the Lacaille family of constellations, which includes Antlia, Circinus, Fornax, Horologium, Mensa, Microscopium, Norma, Octans, Pictor, Reticulum, Sculptor, and Telescopium.
⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺⋆⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺⋆⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺⋆⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺⋆⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺⋆⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺⋆
Constellations:
| Constellations by Month | ||
| JANUARY [8] | FEBRUARY [7] | MARCH [7] |
| Taurus | Camelopardalis | Lynx |
| Orion | Auriga | Cancer |
| Lepus | Gemini | Canis Minor |
| Caelum | Monoceros | Pyxis |
| Reticulum | Canis Major | Vela |
| Dorado | Columba | Carina |
| Pictor | Puppis | Volans |
| Mensa | ||
| APRIL [8] | MAY [7] | JUNE [6] |
| Ursa Major | Canes Venatici | Ursa Minor |
| Leo Minor | Coma Berenices | Boötes |
| Leo | Virgo | Libra |
| Sextans | Corvus | Lupus |
| Crater | Centaurus | Circinus |
| Hydra | Crux | Apus |
| Antlia | Musca | |
| Chamaeleon | ||
| JULY [9] | AUGUST [9] | SEPTEMBER [6] |
| Draco | Lyra | Cygnus |
| Corona Borealis | Vulpecula | Delphinus |
| Hercules | Sagitta | Equuleus |
| Serpens | Aquila | Capricornus |
| Ophiuchus | Scutum | Microscopium |
| Scorpius | Sagittarius | Indus |
| Norma | Corona Australis | |
| Ara | Telescopium | |
| Triangulum Australe | Pavo | |
| OCTOBER [7] | NOVEMBER [8] | DECEMBER [6] |
| Cepheus | Cassiopeia | Perseus |
| Lacerta | Andromeda | Triangulum |
| Pegasus | Pisces | Aries |
| Aquarius | Cetus | Eridanus |
| Piscis Austrinus | Sculptor | Fornax |
| Grus | Phoenix | Horologium |
| Octans | Tucana | |
| Hydrus | ||
Constellation Caelum courtesy of Openverse
Constellations of the Month:
January – Caelum
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