Horologium constellation
Horologium is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the pendulum clock. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 12 November, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 30°N to 90°S.
Horologium at a glance
- Represents
- the pendulum clock
- Highest at midnight
- 12 November
- Highest at 9 pm
- 27 December
- Seen whole from
- 30°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 3 stars
- Origin
- Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, 1750s
When to see Horologium
Horologium is highest in the sky at midnight around 12 November and at 9 pm around 27 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 | 7:40 pm |
| 15 February | 5:40 pm |
| 15 March | 3:50 pm |
| 15 April | 1:50 pm |
| 15 May | 11:50 am |
| 15 June | 9:50 am |
| 15 July | 7:50 am |
| 15 August | 5:50 am |
| 15 September | 3:50 am |
| 15 October | 1:50 am |
| 15 November | 11:50 pm |
| 15 December | 9:50 pm |
Where to look for Horologium
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, only the northern stars of Horologium rise, low above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Horologium rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 12 November, 72° above the southern horizon.
Brightest stars in Horologium
None of the stars of Horologium 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.
Horologium in myth and history
The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Horologium in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.
Constellations next to Horologium
Find Horologium in your sky
Questions about Horologium
Horologium is highest in the sky at midnight around 12 November and at 9 pm around 27 December. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Horologium rises above the horizon from 30°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 48°N to 90°S.
Horologium represents the pendulum clock. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Horologium in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.