Pictor constellation
Pictor is a constellation of the southern sky. Its brightest star is α Pictoris. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): not visible — too far south in the sky.
- —not visible at 52° N
- α Pictorisbrightest star, magnitude 3.2
- PicPictor
How to find the constellation Pictor
The constellation Pictor can’t be seen from mid-northern latitudes (52° N). At least part of it rises above the horizon south of 38° N.
| Location | Visibility |
|---|---|
| 40° NMadrid, New York, Beijing | not visible — too far south in the sky |
| 52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsaw | not visible — too far south in the sky |
| 60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg | not visible — too far south in the sky |
Bright stars of the constellation
| Star | Magnitude | Color | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| α Pictoris | 3.2 | white | — |
| β Pictoris | 3.9 | bluish white | — |
| γ Pictoris | 4.5 | 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 Pictor in the sky?
The constellation Pictor can’t be seen from mid-northern latitudes (52° N). At least part of it rises above the horizon south of 38° N.
When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Pictor?
The constellation Pictor can’t be seen from mid-northern latitudes (52° N) at any time of year. At least part of it rises above the horizon south of 38° N.
What is the brightest star in the constellation Pictor?
α Pictoris: magnitude 3.2, white.
How many stars are there in the constellation Pictor?
With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 23 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.