Circinus - Compasses

Learn about the constellation Circinus - Compasses, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

By Tim Trott | January 5, 2012

Circinus is one of the small southern constellations. It represents a tool used in drawing maps and as such should not be confused with Pyxis, a constellation associated with a ship's compass.

Location: Southern Constellation 15h RA -60° Dec

This constellation was created in the 18th century by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, whose unique fascination with secular science led to different names for these modern constellations.

Circinus Mythology

Being a modern constellation there is no mythology surrounding Circinus.

Circinus Deep Space Objects

In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.

# Common Name ConstellationMonthCoords Direction Mag Size (arcmin) Type Star
Chart
C88
NGC 5823
CircinusSouthern Hemisphere15h 05.7m RA
-55° 36m Dec
7.905Open Cluster🔍︎

Northern Circumpolar
Camelopardalis Cassiopeia Cepheus Draco Lacerta Ursa Major
Ursa Minor
Northern Spring
Antlia Boötes Cancer Coma Berenices Crater Hydra
Leo Leo Minor Virgo
Northern Summer
Aquila Corona Borealis Cygnus Delphinus Equuleus Hercules
Libra Lyra Ophiuchus Sagitta Scutum Serpens
Vulpecula
Northern Autumn
Andromeda Aquarius Aries Capricornus Pegasus Pisces
Triangulum
Northern Winter
Auriga Canes Venatici Canis Major Canis Minor Cetus Eridanus
Gemini Lepus Lynx Monoceros Orion Perseus
Taurus
Southern Constellations
Apus Ara Caelum Carina Centaurus Chamaeleon
Circinus Columba Corona Australis Corvus Crux Dorado
Fornax Grus Horologium Hydrus Indus Lupus
Mensa Microscopium Musca Norma Octans Pavo
Phoenix Pictor Piscis Austrinus Puppis Pyxis Reticulum
Sagittarius Scorpius Sculptor Sextans Telescopium Triangulum Australe
Tucana Vela Volans

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