Caelum constellation
Caelum is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the chisel. It is highest in the sky at midnight around December 1, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 45°N to 90°S.
Caelum at a glance
- Represents
- the chisel
- Highest at midnight
- December 1
- Highest at 9 pm
- January 14
- Seen whole from
- 45°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 3 stars
- Origin
- Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, 1750s
When to see Caelum
Caelum is highest in the sky at midnight around December 1 and at 9 pm around January 14. 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 | 9:00 p.m. |
| February 15 | 7:00 p.m. |
| March 15 | 5:10 p.m. |
| April 15 | 3:00 p.m. |
| May 15 | 1:10 p.m. |
| June 15 | 11:00 a.m. |
| July 15 | 9:10 a.m. |
| August 15 | 7:00 a.m. |
| September 15 | 5:00 a.m. |
| October 15 | 3:00 a.m. |
| November 15 | 1:00 a.m. |
| December 15 | 11:00 p.m. |
Where to look for Caelum
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Caelum rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on December 1, 9° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Caelum rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on December 1, almost overhead.
Brightest stars in Caelum
None of the stars of Caelum 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.
Caelum in myth and history
The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Caelum in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.
Constellations next to Caelum
Find Caelum in your sky
Questions about Caelum
Caelum is highest in the sky at midnight around December 1 and at 9 pm around January 14. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Caelum rises above the horizon from 45°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 53°N to 90°S.
Caelum represents the chisel. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Caelum in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.