Constellation Pictor (Painter's Easel)

Pictor
Pictor: IAU Constellation Map [150]

Properties

Pictor is another inconspicuous constellation and stands in the shadow of the bright star Canopus on the eastern side and the Large Magellanic Cloud in the south. The center of the 247 square degree constellation culminates around midnight on December 15th. [9, 15]

Data for constellation Pictor [150]
IAU NamePictor
IAU GenitivePictoris
IAU Abbr.Pic
English NamePainter's Easel
Opposition15 December
Season (47° N)
Right Ascension04h 32m 52s … 06h 52m 03s
Declination-64° 09' 07" … -42° 47' 47"
Area247 deg2
Neighbours (N↻)Col, Cae, Dor, Vol, Car, Pup

Catalogues

History

The constellation was introduced in 1752 by the French astronomer Abbé Nicolas Louis de Lacaille under the original name Equuleus Pictoris (painter's easel). However, the name was shortened by Gould in 1877. [7, 10]

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
  • [10] «dtv-Atlas zur Astronomie» von Joachim Herrmann; Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag; ISBN 3-423-03006-2
  • [15] «Hartung's Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes» by David Malin and David J. Frew; Melbourne University Press 1995; ISBN 0-522-84553-3
  • [150] IAU: The Constellations, 11. Oktober 2020; iau.org/public/themes/constellations