46
LMC
SMC
Hydrus
Octants
Mensa
Volans
Carinae
Circinus
Crux
Chamaeleon
Musca
α
γ
β
δ
β
γ
1
γ
2
γ
3
υ
τ
σ
χ
80
°
70
°
80
°
70
°
1
1
2
3
α
β
Celestial south
S.C.P
APPLICATION
Tips on Finding Octans
The constellation Octans is made up of dark stars about 5th magnitude on average. The nearest star to the south celestial pole is
Sigma Octantis, which is one of four stars forming a trapezoid in Octans, visible at 5.5th magnitude. There are a few methods to
locate inconspicuous Octans using the surrounding stars.
Note:
The orientation of the Octans changes depending on the season of year.
1. Directing to the Octans using Small Magellanic Cloud and the Southern Cross (Crux) as pointers
Draw an imaginary line between the center of Small Magellanic Cloud and Beta Crux and divide it at a ratio of one to two. You will find the
four stars of Octans at the divide.
2. Directing to the Octans using the arrangement of stars in the Southern Cross (Crux) as pointers
Draw an imaginary line straight through the two stars (Alpha and Beta Crux) of the Southern Cross making the vertical line of the cross
toward Small Magellanic Cloud. You will find the four stars of Octans at a place about 4.5 times extended from the span of the two stars.
3. Directing the Octans using Small Magellanic Cloud, Beta Hydrus and Gamma Octantis as pointers
If you cast your eyes a little toward Crux from Small Magellanic Cloud, you will see Beta Hydrus. Going southward from Beta Hydrus will
find you Gamma Octans which consists of a row of three stars. Continue on your eyes by the same distance toward the Southern Cross
and you will find the four stars of Octans.
