Sextans constellation
Sextans is a constellation near the celestial equator. Its brightest star is α Sextantis. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.
- Springbest seen
- α Sextantisbrightest star, magnitude 4.5
- SexSextans
How to find the constellation Sextans
Use its brightest star as a guide: α Sextantis (magnitude 4.5). In March around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 35°.
| Location | Visibility |
|---|---|
| 40° NMadrid, New York, Beijing | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsaw | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg | rises and sets, fully visible |
Bright stars of the constellation
| Star | Magnitude | Color | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| α Sextantis | 4.5 | bluish white | — |
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 Sextans in the sky?
Use its brightest star as a guide: α Sextantis (magnitude 4.5). In March around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 35°.
When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Sextans?
In spring: in March 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 Sextans?
α Sextantis: magnitude 4.5, bluish white.
How many stars are there in the constellation Sextans?
With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 17 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.