Phoenix constellation
Phoenix is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the phoenix. It is highest in the sky at midnight around October 7, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 35°N to 90°S.
Phoenix at a glance
- Represents
- the phoenix
- Highest at midnight
- October 7
- Highest at 9 pm
- November 21
- Seen whole from
- 35°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 8 stars
- Origin
- Dutch navigators, 1590s
When to see Phoenix
Phoenix is highest in the sky at midnight around October 7 and at 9 pm around November 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 | 5:20 p.m. |
| February 15 | 3:20 p.m. |
| March 15 | 1:30 p.m. |
| April 15 | 11:30 a.m. |
| May 15 | 9:30 a.m. |
| June 15 | 7:30 a.m. |
| July 15 | 5:30 a.m. |
| August 15 | 3:30 a.m. |
| September 15 | 1:30 a.m. |
| October 15 | 11:20 p.m. |
| November 15 | 9:20 p.m. |
| December 15 | 7:20 p.m. |
Where to look for Phoenix
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, only part of Phoenix rises. Its center is highest around midnight on October 7, 3° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Phoenix rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on October 7, 78° above the southern horizon.
Brightest stars in Phoenix
None of the stars of Phoenix 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 2.
Phoenix in myth and history
Phoenix was added in the 1590s from the southern stars that the Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman recorded.
Constellations next to Phoenix
Find Phoenix in your sky
Questions about Phoenix
Phoenix is highest in the sky at midnight around October 7 and at 9 pm around November 21. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Phoenix rises above the horizon from 35°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 48°N to 90°S.
Phoenix represents the phoenix. Phoenix was added in the 1590s from the southern stars that the Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman recorded.