Lacaille's Southern Sky: Instruments Among the Stars

Circinus is the smallest stop here at about 93 square degrees, ranking 85th of the 88. Its brightest star is Alpha Circini, also called Xami, at magnitude 3.19. The atlas records Lacaille defining it in 1756 and lists it as a Compass.

Reticulum covers about 114 square degrees and is traditionally shown as a reticle. Its brightest star is Alpha Reticuli, called Rhombus, at magnitude 3.33, and it borders Horologium, Dorado and Hydrus.

Caelum, the chisel, covers about 125 square degrees and was introduced in the 1750s by Lacaille. Its brightest star is Alpha Caeli at magnitude 4.45, and it sits among Columba, Lepus, Eridanus, Horologium, Dorado and Pictor.

Mensa, shown as Table Mountain, covers about 153 square degrees near the south celestial pole. It is one of fourteen constellations Lacaille drew up in the 18th century, and its brightest star, Alpha Mensae, is called Hoerikwaggo at magnitude 5.09, the dimmest lead star among the thirteen stops.

Norma is the carpenter's square, about 165 square degrees between Ara and Lupus. Wikipedia counts it among the twelve Lacaille drew up in the 18th century. Its brightest star is Gamma2 Normae at magnitude 4.01.

Microscopium covers about 210 square degrees and is shown as the Microscope. Its brightest star is Gamma Microscopii, a yellow giant about 223 light-years away, and it borders Capricornus, Sagittarius, Telescopium, Indus, Grus and Piscis Austrinus.

Antlia, the Air Pump, covers about 239 square degrees. Lacaille first called it Antlia Pneumatica in the 18th century. Its brightest star is Alpha Antliae at magnitude 4.25, and it borders Hydra, Pyxis, Vela and Centaurus.

Pictor, the Easel, covers about 247 square degrees and lies between the star Canopus and the Large Magellanic Cloud. Its brightest star is Alpha Pictoris at magnitude 3.30, and it borders Caelum, Carina, Columba, Dorado, Puppis and Volans.

Horologium is the pendulum clock, about 249 square degrees of faint stars in the southern sky. Its brightest star, Alpha Horologii, shines at magnitude 3.85, and it borders Eridanus, Hydrus, Reticulum, Dorado and Caelum.

Telescopium covers about 252 square degrees and is one of twelve Lacaille named in the 18th century. Its brightest star is Alpha Telescopii at magnitude 3.49, and it borders Ara, Corona Australis, Indus, Microscopium, Pavo and Sagittarius.

Octans, the Octant, covers about 291 square degrees around the south celestial pole. The atlas records Lacaille devising it in 1752, the earliest date on this path. Its brightest star is Nu Octantis at magnitude 3.73.

Fornax, the brazier or furnace, covers about 398 square degrees and was named by Lacaille in 1756. Its brightest star is Alpha Fornacis at magnitude 3.80, and it borders Cetus, Sculptor, Phoenix and Eridanus.

Sculptor closes the path as the largest stop at about 475 square degrees, ranking 36th of the 88. It is a faint constellation of the southern sky, its brightest star is Alpha Sculptoris at magnitude 4.30, and it borders Cetus, Aquarius, Piscis Austrinus, Grus, Phoenix and Fornax.