Columba constellation
Columba is a constellation of the southern sky. Its brightest star is Phact. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): only partly visible — its southern part never rises above the horizon.
- Winterbest seen
- Phactbrightest star, magnitude 2.6
- ColColumba
How to find the constellation Columba
Use its brightest star as a guide: Phact (magnitude 2.6). In January around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 2°. Its southern part never rises at mid-northern latitudes (52° N) — the whole constellation can be seen from further south.
| Location | Visibility |
|---|---|
| 40° NMadrid, New York, Beijing | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsaw | only partly visible — its southern part never rises above the horizon |
| 60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg | not visible — too far south in the sky |
Bright stars of the constellation
| Star | Magnitude | Color | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phactα Columbae | 2.6 | blue | — |
| Waznβ Columbae | 3.1 | orange | — |
| δ Columbae | 3.9 | yellow | — |
| ε Columbae | 3.9 | orange | — |
| η Columbae | 4.0 | orange | — |
| γ Columbae | 4.4 | blue | — |
| κ Columbae | 4.4 | orange | — |
Magnitude is a measure of a star’s brightness: the smaller the number, the brighter the star; on a dark night the naked eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.
Questions
How do you find the constellation Columba in the sky?
Use its brightest star as a guide: Phact (magnitude 2.6). In January around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 2°. Its southern part never rises at mid-northern latitudes (52° N) — the whole constellation can be seen from further south.
When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Columba?
In winter: in January around 22:00 the constellation is highest above the horizon. Two or three months earlier it can be seen before dawn, two or three months later only in the early evening, and half a year later it is in the sky during the day, near the Sun, and can’t be seen.
What is the brightest star in the constellation Columba?
Phact: magnitude 2.6, blue.
How many stars are there in the constellation Columba?
With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 45 stars in the constellation (brighter than magnitude 6, within the constellation’s boundaries). In a city far fewer: usually only the stars of its figure.