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Octans

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Octans
Constellation
Octans
AbbreviationOct
GenitiveOctantis
Pronunciation/ˈɒktænz/, genitive /ɒkˈtæntɨs/
Symbolismthe Octant
Right ascension22
Declination−90
QuadrantSQ4
Area291 sq. deg. (50th)
Main stars3
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
27
Stars with planets2
Stars brighter than 3.00m0
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)1
Brightest starNu Octantis (3.73m)
Messier objectsnone
Meteor showersnone
Bordering
constellations
Tucana
Indus
Pavo
Apus
Chamaeleon
Mensa
Hydrus
Visible at latitudes between +0° and −90°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of October.
Circumpolar.

Octans is the southernmost constellation. It represents a tool that a sailor would use to find his position using the position of the stars; the octant. Octans contains the southernmost star above Magnitude 6, σ Octantis, which cannot be seen easily.