Star lore
Circinus
Direct answer
Circinus is a small southern constellation named for a pair of drawing compasses and positioned beside Centaurus.
Circinus is a compact southern instrument constellation representing compasses.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Related
- Cetus, Chamaeleon, Columba, Coma Berenices
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The story behind Circinus
Lacaille introduced Circinus in the eighteenth century as one of several constellations honoring scientific tools.
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The Road of the Sun
Where the twelve signs came from, and why they carry the names they do.
Why Circinus matters
The region contains the nearby active Circinus Galaxy, obscured at visible wavelengths by the Milky Way.
Circinus in practice: an example
Alpha Circini is an unusual rapidly oscillating chemically peculiar star and the constellation's main naked-eye anchor.
Where readings of Circinus go wrong
Circinus the constellation is not the same object as the much more distant Circinus Galaxy inside its boundary.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- International Astronomical Union: The Constellations - Official names, abbreviations, and boundaries for the 88 modern constellations.
- NASA Space Place: What Are Constellations? - NASA introduction to constellation regions, patterns, visibility, and seasonal sky changes.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Draw the tiny compasses beside Centaurus
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Common questions
What is Circinus?
Circinus is a small southern constellation named for a pair of drawing compasses and positioned beside Centaurus.
What do people get wrong about Circinus?
Circinus the constellation is not the same object as the much more distant Circinus Galaxy inside its boundary.
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