Reticulum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Reticulum

Click for larger image
List of stars in Reticulum
Abbreviation:	Ret
Genitive:	Reticuli
Symbology:	the Reticle
Right ascension:	4 h
Declination:	−60°
Area:	114 sq. deg. (82nd)
Main stars:	4
Bayer/Flamsteed stars:	11
Stars known to have planets:	4
Bright stars:	none
Nearby stars:	2
Brightest star:	α Reticuli (3.4m)
Nearest star:	ζ2 Reticuli (39.38 ly)
Messier objects:	none
Meteor showers:	????? ?????
Bordering constellations:	Horologium Dorado Hydrus
Visible at latitudes between +23° and −90° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of January

Reticulum (pronounced /rɨˈtɪkjələm/, Latin: reticle), is one of the minor southern constellations. It was introduced in the early 17th Century by the astronomer Isaac Habrecht, who named it Rhombus.^[1] It was later renamed by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille to commemorate the reticle, which was a scientific instrument used to measure star positions.

Since it was introduced in the 18th century, there is no earlier mythology associated with it.

[edit] Notable Stars

• Epsilon Reticuli has an extrasolar planet.
• Zeta Reticuli is a pair of stars similar to the Sun. These stars gained some notoriety in ufology when they were alleged to be the home of an alien civilization. See Betty and Barney Hill abduction.

[edit] See also

• List of stars in Reticulum

[edit] References

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ Atlas Coelestis: Atlas 55 - Jacob Bartsch

[edit] Notations

• Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

[edit] External links

• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Reticulum
• Starry Night Photography: Reticulum Constellation
• Star Tales – Reticulum

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Reticulum

This astronomy related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.