Octans (The Octant)

The south-polar constellation of the navigators' octant, holding the south celestial pole itself.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Lacaille created it around 1752, naming it for the octant, the navigators' angle-measuring instrument.
• It contains the south celestial pole itself — there is no bright southern pole star.
• Polaris Australis (Sigma Octantis) serves as the faint southern pole star, thousands of times dimmer than Polaris.

Specifications & Metrics

• BRIGHTEST STAR: Polaris Australis (σ Oct)
• HEMISPHERE: Southern
• BEST VIEWED: October