English name | Compass | ||||
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Major stars | No star of the constellation exceeds the magnitude 3,5. | ||||
Description | Weak constellation of the southern hemisphere, to the north of Vela and to the east of Puppis. Its brightest stars are of fourth magnitude. The only interesting object is T Pyxidis, a recurrent nova: it is normally of fourteenth magnitude, but sometimes it unexpectedly increases its brightness up to reach the magnitude 6. Eruptions were recorded in the years 1890, 1902, 1920, 1944 and 1966: it is probable therefore that in the future there will be other phenomena. |
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Mythology and history | The constellation was drawn by Nicolas Louis de La Caille in 1756. It represents the magnetic compass used by the sailors. |