Octans constellation
Octans is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the octant. It is highest in the sky at midnight around August 7, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 6°N to 90°S.
Octans at a glance
- Represents
- the octant
- Highest at midnight
- August 7
- Highest at 9 pm
- September 21
- Seen whole from
- 6°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 3 stars
- Origin
- Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, 1750s
When to see Octans
Octans is highest in the sky at midnight around August 7 and at 9 pm around September 21. 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 | 1:20 p.m. |
| February 15 | 11:20 a.m. |
| March 15 | 9:30 a.m. |
| April 15 | 7:30 a.m. |
| May 15 | 5:30 a.m. |
| June 15 | 3:30 a.m. |
| July 15 | 1:30 a.m. |
| August 15 | 11:30 p.m. |
| September 15 | 9:20 p.m. |
| October 15 | 7:30 p.m. |
| November 15 | 5:20 p.m. |
| December 15 | 3:30 p.m. |
Where to look for Octans
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Octans never rises. You need to be south of 13°N to see any of it.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Octans never sets. It circles the pole and is highest around midnight on August 7, 42° above the southern horizon.
Brightest stars in Octans
None of the stars of Octans 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.
Octans in myth and history
The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Octans in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.
Constellations next to Octans
Find Octans in your sky
Questions about Octans
Octans is highest in the sky at midnight around August 7 and at 9 pm around September 21. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Octans rises above the horizon from 6°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 13°N to 90°S.
Octans represents the octant. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Octans in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.