Microscopium

Microscopium is one of the 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Its genitive form is Microscopii, its standard abbreviation is Mic, it is traditionally shown as the Microscope. It belongs to the La Caille family of constellations and lies in the fourth quadrant of the southern hemisphere. The constellation covers about 210 square degrees of sky, ranking 66th in size among the 88. Its brightest star is γ Mic at apparent magnitude 4.67. It borders Capricornus, Sagittarius, Telescopium, Indus, Grus and Piscis Austrinus. In this atlas the entity is the shared sky reference for astronomical objects catalogued by constellation, so every star, nebula or galaxy located within Microscopium resolves to one identity.