Sextans

Sextans
Constellation
Sextans
AbbreviationSex
GenitiveSextantis, Sextansis
Pronunciation/ˈsɛkstənz/,
genitive /sɛksˈtæntɪs/
Symbolismthe Sextant
Right ascension09h 41m 04.8653s10h 51m 30.2447s[1]
Declination6.4327669°–−11.6621428°[1]
QuadrantSQ2
Area314 sq. deg. (47th)
Main stars3
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
28
Stars with planets5
Stars brighter than 3.00m0
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)5
Brightest starα Sex (4.49m)
Messier objects0
Meteor showersSextantids
Bordering
constellations
Leo
Hydra
Crater
Visible at latitudes between +80° and −90°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of April.

Sextans is a faint, minor constellation on the celestial equator which was introduced in 1687 by Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius. Its name is Latin for the astronomical sextant, an instrument that Hevelius made frequent use of in his observations.