Sextans - The Sextant

Learn about the constellation Sextans - The Sextant, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

Sextans is a minor equatorial constellation which was introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius.

Location: Southern Constellation 10h RA 0° Dec

There are a few galaxies in Sextans. The most notable is NGC 3115 (called the Spindle Galaxy), a 9.1m spiral galaxy seen edge-on. It is located about 20 million light years away. There are a few other galaxies, including NGC 3156, NGC 3165, NGC 3166, and NGC 3169, a group of four galaxies 60 million light years away. NGC 3166 and NGC 3169 are the brightest of the quartet, at tenth magnitude.

Sextans Mythology

Being a modern constellation, Sextans has no mythology associated with it. It was designed to represent a sextant, an instrument that Hevelius made frequent use of in his observations.

Sextans 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.