Sextans

Sextans occupies a strategic position between the constellations Leo, Hydra, and Crater. Its visibility is more favorable in the southern hemisphere, closer to the celestial south pole, making it a potential challenge for observers in higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere.

Stars

Sextans’ brightest member is Alpha Sextantis, a yellow-white dwarf star with an apparent magnitude of approximately 4.5.

Objects

While lacking standout stars, Sextans does feature some noteworthy deep-sky objects. One example is NGC 3115, commonly known as the Spindle Galaxy. This lenticular galaxy showcases a bright central region and adds to the astronomical allure of Sextans.

History

Sextans derives its name from the Latin word "sextans," meaning "the sextant." Introduced by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius in the 17th century, this constellation is relatively faint and modest in size.