Observing the Constellations
Short descriptions for finding the Constellations
from Southern Africa

A star watching service by ASSA Bloemfontein Centre, South Africa
Information customized for southern hemisphere, 29 degree latitude South


List of all 88 official constellations
The Constellation of:

DORADO

Background:
Dorado (the Swordfish) is a faint constellation in the far south for its southern hemisphere observers. It is best visible from November to May. Its importance lies in the fact that it points towards the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) - a beacon to use in city skies when searching for the LMC. Its lines contains 6 stars.

Where is it?
Dorado lies in a relatively starless area of the sky, between Pictor and Reticulum in the far south. First-time observers will have difficulty finding it. Fortunately the bright star Canopus lies not too far.

Finding it:
The easiest way to find Dorado is to simply note the position of the Large Magellanic Cloud (outside city skies). Inside the city: observers in practice will quickly see the triangulur shape of Dorado's 3 lower stars that lie near the LMC. If you know the southern constellations but are out of practice, you can jump from Reticulum to Dorado. Otherwise, use Canopus as a start off-point and locate Dorado's 3 triangulur stars using a detailed sky map.

Other info:
Dorado hosts the LMC's famous "Tarantu nebula" (NGC 2070).

Descriptions are based on evening observations, for the southern hemisphere and more specifically for Southern Africa.

Summer = Dec, Jan, Feb
Autumn = Mar, Apr, May
Winter = Jun, Jul, Aug
Spring = Sep, Oct, Nov

Zenith = point directly above you in the sky


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Constellation English name Constellation English name
Andromeda The Princess Lacerta Lizard
Antlia Air Pump Leo Lion
Apus Bird of Paradise Leo Minor Smaller Lion
Aquarius Water Carrier Lepus Hare
Aquila Eagle Libra Balance / scale
Ara Altar Lupus Wolf
Aries Ram Lynx Lynx
Auriga Charioteer Lyra Lyre
Bootes Herdsman Mensa Table Mountain
Caelum Chisel Microscopium Microscope
Camelopardalis Giraffe Monoceros Unicorn
Cancer Crab Musca Fly
Canes Venatici Hunting Dogs Norma Square
Canis Major Big Dog Octans Octant
Canis Minor Little Dog Ophiucus Serpent Carrier
Capricornus Goat Orion Orion
Carina Keel of Argo Pavo Peacock
Cassiopeia The Queen Pegasus Winged Horse
Centaurus The Centaur Perseus Perseus
Cepheus King Cepheus Phoenix Phoenix
Cetus Whale Pictor Easel
Chamaeleon Chameleon Pisces Fishes
Circinus Compass (draw) Pisces Austrinus Southern Fish
Columba Dove Puppis Stern of Argo
Coma Berenices Berenice's Hair Pyxis Compass of Argo
Corona Australis Southern Crown Reticulum Reticle
Corona Borealis Northern Crown Sagitta Arrow
Corvus Crow Sagittarius Archer
Crater Cup Scorpius Scorpion
Crux Southern Cross Sculptor Sculptor
Cygnus Swan Scutum Shield
Delphinus Dolphin Serpens Serpent
Dorado Swordfish Sextans Sextant
Draco Dragon Taurus Bull
Equuleus Little Horse Telescopium Telescope
Eridanus River Triangulum Triangle
Fornax Furnace Triangulum Australe Triangle (South)
Gemini Twins Tucana Toucan
Grus Crane Ursa Major Great Bear
Hercules Hercules Ursa Minor Little Bear
Horologium Clock / watch Vela Sails of Argo
Hydra Hydra (Sea Serpent) Virgo Virgin
Hydrus Water Serpent Volans Flying Fish
Indus Indian Vulpecula Fox




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