Octans, the Octant (Oct)
(OCK-tanz)
The Southern constellation of Octans, the Octant, is best viewed in Fall during the month of October. It's brightest star is Nu Octanis at magnitude 3.73. The boundary of the Octans constellation contains 2 stars that host known exoplanets.
- Pronunciation:
- OCK-tanz
- Meaning:
- Octant
- Genitive:
- Octantis
- Abbreviation:
- Oct
- Constellation Family:
- LaCaille
- Hemisphere:
- Southern
- Quadrant:
- SQ4
- Best viewing month*:
- October
- Right Ascension (avg):
- 22h 10m
- Declination (avg):
- -84° 16'
- Brightest star:
- Nu Octanis (3.73)
- Stars with planets:
- 2
- Messier catalog objects:
- |
- Caldwell catalog objects:
- |
Brightest Stars in Octans
The 10 brightest stars in the constellation Octans by magnitude.
- Star
- Magnitude
- Spectral class
- Nu Octantis (ν Oct)
- 3.76
- K0III
- Beta Octantis (β Oct)
- 4.13
- A9IV/V
- Delta Octantis (δ Oct)
- 4.31
- K2III
- Theta Octantis (θ Oct)
- 4.78
- K2III
- Epsilon Octantis (ε Oct)
- 5.09
- M6III
- Gamma Octantis (γ1 Oct)
- 5.1
- G7III
- Alpha Octantis (α Oct)
- 5.13
- F4III
- Lambda Octantis (λ Oct)
- 5.27
- G8/K0III+
- Gamma Octantis (γ3 Oct)
- 5.29
- K1/K2III
- Chi Octantis (χ Oct)
- 5.29
- K3III
* Constellation shown for northen hemisphere skies. For the southern hemisphere, constellations appear rotated 180 degrees (upside-down and left-right reversed) from what is shown. Remember that seasons are reversed too - summer in northern latitudes is winter in southern latitudes.
** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed (and not at all in the opposite hemisphere).