Antlia constellation
Antlia is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the air pump. It is highest in the sky at midnight around February 24, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 54°N to 90°S.
Antlia at a glance
- Represents
- the air pump
- Highest at midnight
- February 24
- Highest at 9 pm
- April 10
- Seen whole from
- 54°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 2 stars
- Origin
- Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, 1750s
When to see Antlia
Antlia is highest in the sky at midnight around February 24 and at 9 pm around April 10. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 2:40 a.m. |
| February 15 | 12:30 a.m. |
| March 15 | 10:40 p.m. |
| April 15 | 8:40 p.m. |
| May 15 | 6:40 p.m. |
| June 15 | 4:40 p.m. |
| July 15 | 2:40 p.m. |
| August 15 | 12:40 p.m. |
| September 15 | 10:40 a.m. |
| October 15 | 8:40 a.m. |
| November 15 | 6:40 a.m. |
| December 15 | 4:40 a.m. |
Where to look for Antlia
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Antlia rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on February 24, 16° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Antlia rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on February 24, almost overhead.
Brightest stars in Antlia
None of the stars of Antlia 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.
Antlia in myth and history
The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Antlia in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.
Constellations next to Antlia
Find Antlia in your sky
Questions about Antlia
Antlia is highest in the sky at midnight around February 24 and at 9 pm around April 10. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Antlia rises above the horizon from 54°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 59°N to 90°S.
Antlia represents the air pump. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Antlia in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.