Star lore
Reticulum
Direct answer
Reticulum is a small far-southern constellation named for the reticle used to measure positions in a telescope eyepiece.
Reticulum is Lacaille's Reticle, a compact southern instrument constellation.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Related
- Puppis, Pyxis, Sagitta, Sagittarius Constellation
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The story behind Reticulum
Lacaille standardized Reticulum in the eighteenth century after earlier maps had depicted related measuring grids.
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The Road of the Sun
Where the twelve signs came from, and why they carry the names they do.
Why Reticulum matters
Reticulum’s name records the measuring grid that helped turn visual observing into quantified positional astronomy.
How to read Reticulum
Locate the diamond-shaped region between Horologium and Dorado, near the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Reticulum in practice: an example
Alpha and Beta Reticuli form the brighter side of the constellation's small quadrilateral.
Where readings of Reticulum go wrong
A reticle is the eyepiece reference grid, not the telescope's main lens or mirror.
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
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Common questions
What is Reticulum?
Reticulum is a small far-southern constellation named for the reticle used to measure positions in a telescope eyepiece.
What do people get wrong about Reticulum?
A reticle is the eyepiece reference grid, not the telescope's main lens or mirror.
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