Fornax constellation
Fornax is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the furnace. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 6 November, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 58°N to 90°S.
Fornax at a glance
- Represents
- the furnace
- Highest at midnight
- 6 November
- Highest at 9 pm
- 21 December
- Seen whole from
- 58°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 2 stars
- Origin
- Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, 1750s
When to see Fornax
Fornax is highest in the sky at midnight around 6 November and at 9 pm around 21 December. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 7:20 PM |
| 15 February | 5:20 PM |
| 15 March | 3:30 PM |
| 15 April | 1:30 PM |
| 15 May | 11:30 AM |
| 15 June | 9:30 AM |
| 15 July | 7:30 AM |
| 15 August | 5:30 AM |
| 15 September | 3:30 AM |
| 15 October | 1:30 AM |
| 15 November | 11:20 PM |
| 15 December | 9:20 PM |
Where to look for Fornax
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Fornax rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 6 November, 19° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Fornax rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 6 November, almost overhead.
Brightest stars in Fornax
None of the stars of Fornax is brighter than magnitude 2.3, so it is best seen from a dark place away from city lights. Its brightest stick-figure stars are about magnitude 3.
Fornax in myth and history
The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Fornax in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.
Constellations next to Fornax
Find Fornax in your sky
Questions about Fornax
Fornax is highest in the sky at midnight around 6 November and at 9 pm around 21 December. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Fornax rises above the horizon from 58°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 61°N to 90°S.
Fornax represents the furnace. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Fornax in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.