Constellation Microscopium (Microscope)

Microscopium
Microscopium: IAU Constellation Map [150]

Properties

The constellation Microscopium, however, is a modest monument for the instrument of the same name. It is formed by several stars just slightly brighter than fifth magnitude and lies between Sagittarius and Piscis Austrinus. The area is 210 square degrees and the center culminates around midnight on August 4th. [9, 15]

Data for constellation Microscopium [150]
IAU NameMicroscopium
IAU GenitiveMicroscopii
IAU Abbr.Mic
English NameMicroscope
Opposition3 August
Season (47° N)July … September
Right Ascension20h 27m 36s … 21h 28m 10s
Declination-45° 05' 24" … -27° 27' 35"
Area210 deg2
Neighbours (N↻)Cap, Sgr, Tel, Ind, Gru, PsA

Catalogues

History

Microscopium is another constellation from the series of technical and scientific devices that was introduced by Lacaille in the southern sky in the middle of the 17th century and was intended to fill the gaps between the major constellations. Here he immortalized the microscope, which became a revolutionary tool for naturalists and doctors in the 18th century. [7, 21]

References

  • [7] «Der grosse Kosmos-Himmelsführer» von Ian Ridpath und Wil Tirion; Kosmos Verlag; ISBN 3-440-05787-9
  • [9] «Drehbare Sternkarte SIRIUS» von H. Suter-Haug; Hallwag-Verlag, Bern
  • [15] «Hartung's Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes» by David Malin and David J. Frew; Melbourne University Press 1995; ISBN 0-522-84553-3
  • [21] «Taschenatlas der Sternbilder» von Josef Klepesta und Antonin Rükl; Verlag Werner Dausien; ISBN 3-7684-2384-0
  • [150] IAU: The Constellations, 11. Oktober 2020; iau.org/public/themes/constellations