Sculptor (constellation)

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Sculptor

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List of stars in Sculptor
Abbreviation:	Scl
Genitive:	Sculptoris
Symbology:	the Sculptor
Right ascension:	0 h
Declination:	−30°
Area:	475 sq. deg. (36th)
Main stars:	4
Bayer/Flamsteed stars:	18
Stars known to have planets:	2
Bright stars:	0
Nearby stars:	0
Brightest star:	α Scl (4.31m)
Nearest star:	θ Scl (71.1 ly)
Messier objects:	0
Meteor showers:
Bordering constellations:	Cetus Aquarius Piscis Austrinus Grus Phoenix Fornax
Visible at latitudes between +50° and −90° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of November

Sculptor (pronounced /ˈskʌlptɚ/) is a minor southern constellation which was introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. He originally named it after a sculptor's studio, but the name was later shortened.

As it was introduced during the 17th century, there is no mythology associated with it.

[edit] Notable features

No bright stars brighter than 3rd magnitude are located in Sculptor. The brightest star is α Sculptoris, an SX Arietis-type variable star with the magnitude of only 4.31^m. This is explained by the fact that Sculptor contains the south galactic pole where stellar density is very low.

[edit] Notable deep sky objects

The constellation contains the Sculptor Dwarf, a dwarf galaxy which is a member of the Local Group, as well as the Sculptor Group, the group of galaxies closest to the Local Group. The Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253), a barred spiral galaxy and the largest member of the group, lies near the border between Sculptor and Cetus. Another prominent member of the group is the irregular galaxy NGC 55.

[edit] References

• 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

• Star Tales – Sculptor

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