Sextans constellation
Sextans is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the sextant. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 25 February, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 89°N to 90°S.
Sextans at a glance
- Represents
- the sextant
- Highest at midnight
- 25 February
- Highest at 9 pm
- 11 April
- Seen whole from
- 89°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 2 stars
- Origin
- Johannes Hevelius, 1690
When to see Sextans
Sextans is highest in the sky at midnight around 25 February and at 9 pm around 11 April. 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 | 2:40 AM |
| 15 February | 12:40 AM |
| 15 March | 10:50 PM |
| 15 April | 8:40 PM |
| 15 May | 6:50 PM |
| 15 June | 4:40 PM |
| 15 July | 2:50 PM |
| 15 August | 12:40 PM |
| 15 September | 10:40 AM |
| 15 October | 8:40 AM |
| 15 November | 6:40 AM |
| 15 December | 4:40 AM |
Where to look for Sextans
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Sextans rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 25 February, 49° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Sextans rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 25 February, 56° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Sextans
None of the stars of Sextans 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 4.
Sextans in myth and history
The astronomer Johannes Hevelius added Sextans in his star atlas of 1690.
Constellations next to Sextans
Find Sextans in your sky
Questions about Sextans
Sextans is highest in the sky at midnight around 25 February and at 9 pm around 11 April. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Sextans rises above the horizon from 89°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 90°N to 90°S.
Sextans represents the sextant. The astronomer Johannes Hevelius added Sextans in his star atlas of 1690.