SkyRef / Constellations

The Circinus constellation

The Compasses. Best placed in February. It is deep in the southern sky and never rises for most of the northern hemisphere.

Where and when

Also known asthe Compasses
Best monthFebruary
Right ascension14.5h
Declination-67°
Line segments1

Finding it

Circinus, known in English as the Compasses, is centred near right ascension 14.5 hours, declination -67°. It is deep in the southern sky and never rises for most of the northern hemisphere.

It reaches its highest point in the sky around local midnight in February, which is when it is easiest to pick out. Earlier in the year it rises before dawn; later, it is already setting in the evening.

Bright stars in this part of the sky

StarDesignationMagnitude
Rigil Kentaurusα¹ Cen-0.01
Hadarβ Cen0.61

See it on the live map

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Other constellations

AndromedaAntliaApusAquariusAquilaAraAriesAurigaBoötesCaelumCamelopardalisCancerCanes VenaticiCanis MajorCanis MinorCapricornusCarinaCassiopeiaCentaurusCepheusCetusChamaeleonCircinusColumbaComa BerenicesCorona AustrinaCorona BorealisCorvusCraterCruxCygnusDelphinusDoradoDracoEquuleusEridanusFornaxGeminiGrusHercules