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It is a shame that the most important instrument for astronomers should
be associated with such a tiny portion of the sky, practically devoid of
telescopic interest. Lacaille devised the constellation in the
mid-eighteenth century.
Just east of the Scorpion's stinger lies the faint constellation of Corona
Australis. To its south is found Telescopium.
Its stars are mostly fourth and fifth magnitude.
This constellation has no outstanding binaries, and indeed all the
visual binaries have rather faint primaries (sixth, seventh, or even
eighth magnitude). For this reason none are listed.
The brightest Mira-type variable is R Telescopii, which has a period
of 462 days, and a range in magnitude of 7.8 to 14. The next maximum is
expected in mid-March 1997; in 2000 the maximum should occur late in the
year.
The deep-sky objects in Telescopium -- mostly galaxies -- are all too faint for amateur study.
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