Sextans

Transit Date of principal star:
22 February

Sextans, "The Sextant" is one of a number of constellations devised by Johannes Hevelius, and published posthumously in 1690. For further remarks on Hevelius, see "Lacerta". Rather than rely on the telescope, Hevelius usually used the sextant to do his viewing. Thus he commemorates the instrument here. The simple asterism shows two straight lines. The Bayer stars here are fragmentary and only fourth and fifth magnitude. Double stars: Gamma Sextantis is a multiple binary. AB is a close double, with orbit of 77.5 years: 5.4, 6.4; 49º, 0.5". C is much fainter and wider: visual magnitude 12.3; 333º, 36.9". Variable stars: There are no variable stars of interest to the amateur astronomer. Deep Sky Objects: NGC 3115 is a bright galaxy seen edge-on, looking like a fuzzy flying saucer. It may be over 20 million light years away. The galaxy lies midway between epsilon Sextantis and gamma Sextantis and very slightly north. The easiest way to find it is start from Regulus (alpha Leonis). From this bright star drop south through alpha Sextantis (12.5º) then continue south another 7.5º. For a more detailed appreciation of Sextans visit the Binocular Section. Return to the previous page: Or go to the Main Menu All files associated with The Constellations Web Page are © Richard Dibon-Smith.