Phoenix (constellation)

From Freepedia

Phoenix
Image:Phoenix constellation map.png click for larger image
Abbreviation	Phe
Genitive	Phoenicis
Symbology	the Phoenix
Right ascension	0 h
Declination	−50°
Area	469 sq. deg. Ranked 37th
Number of stars (magnitude < 3)	??????
Brightest star	α Phoenicis (Ankaa) (App. magnitude 2.39)
Meteor showers	Phoenicids
Bordering constellations	Sculptor Grus Tucana Hydrus (corner) Eridanus Fornax
Visible at latitudes between +32° and −90° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of November

Phoenix is a minor southern constellation, introduced by Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman, and popularized by Johann Bayer's Uranometria in 1603.

There are only eleven stars in the whole constellation which are brighter than magnitude 5.0.

The constellation stretches from roughly -41° to -57° declination, and from 23.5h to 2h of right ascension. This means it is generally invisible to anyone living north of the 40th parallel in the Northern Hemisphere, and remains low in the sky for anyone living north of the equator. It is easily visible from locations such as Australia and South Africa during Southern Hemisphere summer.

Phoenix is associated with the minor Phoenicids meteor shower of December 5th.

1 History
2 Stars
3 See Also
4 External links

History

Since it was introduced in the early 17th century, there is no classical, or earlier, mythology surrounding the Phoenix constellation.

Stars

Stars with proper names:

(α Phe) 2.40 Ankaa or Nair al Zaurak or Cymbae [Lucida Cymbae]
< العنقاء al-^{c^anqā’} The phoenix [a fabulous bird in Arab myth]
< النائر الزورق an-na’ir az-zawraq The bright one of the boat
< lūcida cumbæ The brightness of the skiff