Star lore
Fornax
Direct answer
Fornax is a faint southern constellation named for a chemical furnace and located near the bend of Eridanus.
Fornax is Lacaille's Furnace, a sparse constellation containing a nearby galaxy cluster.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Related
- Equuleus, Eridanus, Gemini Constellation, Grus
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The story behind Fornax
Lacaille introduced Fornax in the eighteenth century to represent the furnace used in laboratory chemistry.
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The Road of the Sun
Where the twelve signs came from, and why they carry the names they do.
Why Fornax matters
The Fornax Cluster makes this unobtrusive patch one of the richest nearby concentrations of galaxies.
Fornax in practice: an example
The Fornax Galaxy Cluster becomes a rewarding telescope field despite the constellation's quiet foreground.
Where readings of Fornax go wrong
Fornax the constellation, the Fornax Cluster, and the Fornax Dwarf Galaxy are related only by sky direction and naming.
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
Look through the Furnace toward nearby galaxies
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Common questions
What is Fornax?
Fornax is a faint southern constellation named for a chemical furnace and located near the bend of Eridanus.
What do people get wrong about Fornax?
Fornax the constellation, the Fornax Cluster, and the Fornax Dwarf Galaxy are related only by sky direction and naming.
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