Pyxis

Also known as Pyx, Pyxidis, The Ship's Compass

Pyxis is a small and faint constellation in the southern sky. Abbreviated from Pyxis Nautica, its name is Latin for a mariner's compass (contrasting with Circinus, which represents a draftsman's compasses). Pyxis was introduced by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century, and is counted among the 88 modern constellations.

AI overview

Pyxis is a small, faint constellation in the southern sky whose name comes from the Latin term for a mariner's compass, distinguishing it from another constellation called Circinus that represents a different type of compass. Introduced by astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century, it is recognized as one of the 88 modern constellations used today.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Constellation.name: Pyxis
Constellation.abbreviation: Pyx
Constellation.genitive: Pyxidis
Constellation.pronounce: , genitive
Constellation.symbolism: The compass box
Constellation.family: Heavenly Waters
Constellation.quadrant: SQ2
Constellation.areatotal: 221
Constellation.arearank: 65th
Constellation.numbermainstars: 3
Constellation.numberbfstars: 10
Constellation.numberbrightstars: 0
Constellation.numbernearbystars: 1
Constellation.brighteststarname: α Pyx
Constellation.starmagnitude: 3.68
Constellation.neareststarname: Gliese 318
Constellation.stardistancely: 27.78
Constellation.stardistancepc: 8.52

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Official name: Pyxis
Area: 221
Image: Constellation Pyxis.jpg

Show 4 more facts

time of discovery or invention: 1752-00-00
short name: Pyx
Commons category: Pyxis (constellation)
Commons gallery: Pyxis

Sources (4)

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~13 min read

Article

9 sections

Contents

History
Characteristics
Features
Stars
Planetary systems
Deep-sky objects
See also
Notes
References

The plane of the Milky Way passes through Pyxis. A faint constellation, its three brightest stars—Alpha, Beta and Gamma Pyxidis—are in a rough line. At magnitude 3.68, Alpha is the constellation's brightest star. It is a blue-white star approximately distant and around 22,000 times as luminous as the Sun.