Constellation Phoenix

Phoenix
Phoenix: IAU Constellation Map [150]

Properties

Phoenix is an inconspicuous constellation near the southern end of Eridanus, between the bright star Achernar and the constellation Grus. The area of the constellation is 469 square degrees and the center culminates around midnight on October 5th. [9, 15]

Stars with Proper Names [154]
α Phe Ankaa, Nair Al Zaurak, Cymbae, Lucida Cymbae, Head Of Phoenix
Data for constellation Phoenix [150]
IAU NamePhoenix
IAU GenitivePhoenicis
IAU Abbr.Phe
English NamePhoenix
Opposition4 October
Season (47° N)
Right Ascension23h 26m 46s … 02h 25m 03s
Declination-57° 50' 54" … -39° 18' 46"
Area469 deg2
Neighbours (N↻)Scl, Gru, Tuc, Hyi, Eri, For

Catalogues

Southern Constellations: Phoenix, Grus, Indus, Toucan, Hydrus, Pavo, Apus Indica, Triangulum Australe, Chameleon, Apis, Piscis Volans, Dorado
Southern Constellations: Phoenix, Grus, Indus, Toucan, Hydrus, Pavo, Apus Indica, Triangulum Australe, Chameleon, Apis, Piscis Volans, Dorado: Illustration from «Uranometria» by Johann Bayer, copper engraving by Alexander Mair, 1603 [28]

Mythology and History

Phoenix is the Greek name for Benu, the sacred bird of the Egyptians. He was worshiped as the appearance of the sun god and is the symbol of eternal renewal and resurrection. He burns himself to rise newborn from the ashes.

Johann Bayer introduced this constellation in 1603 in an area known to the Arabs as the Boot, on the banks of the Eridanus had created. Later one saw an eagle or the legendary bird griffin here, so that in Bayer's time the reference to a bird was created. [6, 7]

References

  • [6] «Das neue Lexikon; Band 1-10»; Weltbild Verlag; © Bibliographisches Institut, Mannheim 1984
  • [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
  • [28] «Uranometria omnium asterismorum continens schemata, nova methodo delineata aereis laminis expressa» Johann Bayer, Augsburg, 1603; DOI:10.3931/e-rara-309
  • [150] IAU: The Constellations, 11. Oktober 2020; iau.org/public/themes/constellations
  • [154] Yale Bright Star Catalog, 15. Oktober 2020; tdc-www.harvard.edu/catalogs/bsc5.html