Columba (constellation)

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Columba
Columba
click for larger image
Abbreviation Col
Genitive Columbae
Symbology Dove
Right ascension 6 h
Declination −35°
Area 270 sq. deg.
Ranked 54th
Number of main stars {{{numbermainstars}}}
Number of stars

(Bayer-Flamsteed)

 1
Number of stars with planets

(BF, variable, other stars)

 {{{numberstarsplanets}}}
Number of bright stars

(magnitude < 3)

 {{{numberbrightstars}}}
Number of nearby stars

(Distance < 100 ly)

 {{{numbernearbystars}}}
Brightest star {{{brighteststarname}}}
(App. magnitude 2.6)
Nearest Star {{{neareststarname}}}
(Distance: {{{stardistance}}})
Meteor showers

None
Bordering
constellations
Visible at latitudes between +45° and −90°
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of February

Columba (IPA: /kə(ʊ)ˈlʌmbə/, Latin: dove), is a small constellation just south of Canis Major and Lepus; it was cut out of the constellation Canis Major by Augustin Royer, in 1679.

[edit] Mythology

Since this constellation was invented in the 17th century, by cutting up parts of earlier constellations, there is no pre-17th century mythology associated with this constellation as a separate distinct entity.

[edit] Stars

Stars with proper names:
  • (α Col) 2.65 Phact [Phaet, Phad, Phakt]
    < ? al-fakhitah The dove ?
    (?) < فخذ fakhð thigh
  • (β Col) 3.12 Wezn [Wazn]
    < وزن wazn Weight
  • (δ Col 3.85 Ghusn al Zaitun
    < Arabic for "the Olive Branch"
  • (θ Col) 5.00 Al Kurud
    < القرود al-qurūd The monkeys
    (?) < الغرود alghurūd The dunes
  • (κ Col) 4.37 (or Al Kurud, see θ Col)
  • (λ Col) 4.88 Tsze
    < 子 (Mandarin zǐ) The son
Stars with Bayer designations:
γ Col 4.36; ε Col 3.86; η Col 3.96; μ Col 5.18 – runaway star; ν1 Col 6.15; ν2 Col 5.28; ξ Col 4.97; ο Col 4.81; π1 Col 6.15; π2 Col 5.50; σ Col 5.52
Stars with Flamsteed designations:
72 Col 5.65
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The 88 modern Constellations
Andromeda • Antlia • Apus • Aquarius • Aquila • Ara • Aries • Auriga • Boötes • Caelum • Camelopardalis • Cancer • Canes Venatici • Canis Major • Canis Minor • Capricornus • Carina • Cassiopeia • Centaurus • Cepheus • Cetus • Chamaeleon • Circinus • Columba • Coma Berenices • Corona Australis • Corona Borealis • Corvus • Crater • Crux • Cygnus • Delphinus • Dorado • Draco • Equuleus • Eridanus • Fornax • Gemini • Grus • Hercules • Horologium • Hydra • Hydrus • Indus • Lacerta • Leo • Leo Minor • Lepus • Libra • Lupus • Lynx • Lyra • Mensa • Microscopium • Monoceros • Musca • Norma • Octans • Ophiuchus • Orion • Pavo • Pegasus • Perseus • Phoenix • Pictor • Pisces • Piscis Austrinus • Puppis • Pyxis • Reticulum • Sagitta • Sagittarius • Scorpius • Sculptor • Scutum • Serpens • Sextans • Taurus • Telescopium • Triangulum • Triangulum Australe • Tucana • Ursa Major • Ursa Minor • Vela • Virgo • Volans • Vulpecula


Constellations changed by Augustin Royer in 1679
Canis Major | split into | Columba | Canis Major

[edit] External links

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