Pyxis
Sign in to savePyxis is a small and faint constellation in the southern sky. Abbreviated from Pyxis Nautica, its name is Latin for a mariner's compass (contrasting with Circinus, which represents a draftsman's compasses). Pyxis was introduced by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century, and is counted among the 88 modern constellations.
AI overview
Pyxis is a small, faint constellation in the southern sky whose name comes from the Latin term for a mariner's compass, distinguishing it from another constellation called Circinus that represents a different type of compass. Introduced by astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century, it is recognized as one of the 88 modern constellations used today.
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Key facts
- Constellation.name
- Pyxis
- Constellation.abbreviation
- Pyx
- Constellation.genitive
- Pyxidis
- Constellation.pronounce
- , genitive
- Constellation.symbolism
- The compass box
- Constellation.family
- Heavenly Waters
- Constellation.quadrant
- SQ2
- Constellation.areatotal
- 221
- Constellation.arearank
- 65th
- Constellation.numbermainstars
- 3
- Constellation.numberbfstars
- 10
- Constellation.numberbrightstars
- 0
- Constellation.numbernearbystars
Article
9 sectionsContents
- History
- Characteristics
- Features
- Stars
- Planetary systems
- Deep-sky objects
- See also
- Notes
- References
Pyxis is a small and faint constellation in the southern sky. Abbreviated from Pyxis Nautica, its name is Latin for a mariner's compass (contrasting with Circinus, which represents a draftsman's compasses). Pyxis was introduced by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century, and is counted among the 88 modern constellations.
The plane of the Milky Way passes through Pyxis. A faint constellation, its three brightest stars—Alpha, Beta and Gamma Pyxidis—are in a rough line. At magnitude 3.68, Alpha is the constellation's brightest star. It is a blue-white star approximately distant and around 22,000 times as luminous as the Sun.