Chamaeleon constellation
Chamaeleon is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the chameleon. It is highest in the sky at midnight around February 24, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 11°N to 90°S.
Chamaeleon at a glance
- Represents
- the chameleon
- Highest at midnight
- February 24
- Highest at 9 pm
- April 10
- Seen whole from
- 11°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 3 stars
- Origin
- Dutch navigators, 1590s
When to see Chamaeleon
Chamaeleon 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 | 12:40 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 Chamaeleon
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Chamaeleon never rises. You need to be south of 13°N to see any of it.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Chamaeleon never sets. It circles the pole and is highest around midnight on February 24, 46° above the southern horizon.
Brightest stars in Chamaeleon
None of the stars of Chamaeleon 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.
Chamaeleon in myth and history
Chamaeleon was added in the 1590s from the southern stars that the Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman recorded.
Constellations next to Chamaeleon
Find Chamaeleon in your sky
Questions about Chamaeleon
Chamaeleon 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 Chamaeleon rises above the horizon from 11°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 13°N to 90°S.
Chamaeleon represents the chameleon. Chamaeleon was added in the 1590s from the southern stars that the Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman recorded.