Reticulum constellation
Reticulum is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the reticle. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 22 November, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 25°N to 90°S.
Reticulum at a glance
- Represents
- the reticle
- Highest at midnight
- 22 November
- Highest at 9 pm
- 6 January
- Seen whole from
- 25°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 4 stars
- Origin
- Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, 1750s
When to see Reticulum
Reticulum is highest in the sky at midnight around 22 November and at 9 pm around 6 January. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 8:20 pm |
| 15 February | 6:20 pm |
| 15 March | 4:30 pm |
| 15 April | 2:30 pm |
| 15 May | 12:30 pm |
| 15 June | 10:30 am |
| 15 July | 8:30 am |
| 15 August | 6:30 am |
| 15 September | 4:30 am |
| 15 October | 2:30 am |
| 15 November | 12:30 am |
| 15 December | 10:30 pm |
Where to look for Reticulum
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Reticulum never rises. You need to be south of 31°N to see any of it.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Reticulum never sets. It circles the pole and is highest around midnight on 22 November, 63° above the southern horizon.
Brightest stars in Reticulum
None of the stars of Reticulum 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.
Reticulum in myth and history
The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Reticulum in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.
Constellations next to Reticulum
Find Reticulum in your sky
Questions about Reticulum
Reticulum is highest in the sky at midnight around 22 November and at 9 pm around 6 January. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Reticulum rises above the horizon from 25°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 31°N to 90°S.
Reticulum represents the reticle. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Reticulum in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.