Circinus constellation
Circinus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the drawing compass. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 10 May, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 25°N to 90°S.
Circinus at a glance
- Represents
- the drawing compass
- Highest at midnight
- 10 May
- Highest at 9 pm
- 24 June
- Seen whole from
- 25°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 3 stars
- Origin
- Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, 1750s
When to see Circinus
Circinus is highest in the sky at midnight around 10 May and at 9 pm around 24 June. 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 | 7:30 am |
| 15 February | 5:30 am |
| 15 March | 3:40 am |
| 15 April | 1:40 am |
| 15 May | 11:40 pm |
| 15 June | 9:30 pm |
| 15 July | 7:40 pm |
| 15 August | 5:30 pm |
| 15 September | 3:30 pm |
| 15 October | 1:40 pm |
| 15 November | 11:30 am |
| 15 December | 9:40 am |
Where to look for Circinus
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Circinus never rises. You need to be south of 31°N to see any of it.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Circinus never sets. It circles the pole and is highest around midnight on 10 May, 64° above the southern horizon.
Brightest stars in Circinus
None of the stars of Circinus 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.
Circinus in myth and history
The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Circinus in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.
Constellations next to Circinus
Find Circinus in your sky
Questions about Circinus
Circinus is highest in the sky at midnight around 10 May and at 9 pm around 24 June. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Circinus rises above the horizon from 25°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 31°N to 90°S.
Circinus represents the drawing compass. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Circinus in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.