Best placed in September. It lies south of the celestial equator and sits low for northern observers, better the further south you go.
Columba is centred near right ascension 5.7 hours, declination -39°. It lies south of the celestial equator and sits low for northern observers, better the further south you go.
It reaches its highest point in the sky around local midnight in September, 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.
| Star | Magnitude | Catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| Canopus | -0.72 | HR 2326 |
SkyRef draws Columba in its real position for wherever you are, right now, along with the other 88 IAU figures.