Microscopium constellation lies in the southern hemisphere. It represents the microscope and is not associated with any myths.
Microscopium lies to the south of Capricornus, between the constellations Piscis Austrinus and Sagittarius. It is a small, faint constellation that is hard to see from northern latitudes. It was introduced by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century.
The brightest stars in Microscopium are only of fifth magnitude and the constellation cannot be seen without binoculars in less than ideal observing conditions. It does not have any bright deep sky objects.
FACTS, LOCATION & MAP
Microscopium is the 66th constellation in size, occupying an area of 210 square degrees. It is located in the fourth quadrant of the southern hemisphere (SQ4) and can be seen at latitudes between +45° and -90°. The neighboring constellations are Capricornus, Grus, Indus, Piscis Austrinus, Sagittarius and Telescopium.
Microscopium belongs to the Lacaille family of constellations, along with Antlia, Caelum, Circinus, Fornax, Horologium, Mensa, Norma, Octans, Pictor, Reticulum, Sculptor and Telescopium.
Microscopium contains one star with known planets and has no Messier objects. The brightest star in the constellation is Gamma Micoscopii, with an apparent magnitude of 4.67. There are no meteor showers associated with the constellation.
STORY
Microscopium constellation was created by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1751-1752. Lacaille named it after an early type of compound microscope, one that used more than one lens and was widely used in the 18th century. He described the constellation as depicting “a tube above a square box.”
The official boundaries of the constellation as it is today were set by the Belgian astronomer Eugène Delporte in 1930.
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