- Pictor
:"This article refers to the
constellation "Pictor". For the Roman historian, please refer to theQuintus Fabius Pictor article."Infobox Constellation
name = Pictor
abbreviation = Pic
genitive = Pictoris
symbology = theEasel
RA = 4h 32m ~ 6h 51m
dec= −43 ~ −64
areatotal = 247
arearank = 59th
numbermainstars = 3
numberbfstars = 15
numberstarsplanets = 2
numberbrightstars = none
numbernearbystars = 2
brighteststarname = α Pic
starmagnitude = +3.30
neareststarname =Kapteyn's Star
stardistance = 12.78
numbermessierobjects = none
meteorshowers = none
bordering =Caelum
Carina
ColumbaDorado Puppis Volans
latmax = 26
latmin = 90
month = January
notes=Pictor (pronEng|ˈpɪktɚ, _la.
easel ) is one of the minor southern (declination −50° to −60°)constellation s.Pictor is a small, faint constellation located between brilliant
Canopus and theLarge Magellanic Cloud .Pictor has attracted attention in recent years because of its second-brightest star β Pictoris, 62.9
light-year s distant, which is surrounded by an unusualdust disk rich incarbon .Kapteyn's Star , a nearbyred dwarf at the distance of 12.78 light years, is the closest halo star known.History
Pictor was invented and named by Abbé
Nicolas Louis de Lacaille — noted for his catalogue of nearly 10,000 southern stars, including 42 nebulous objects — in the 17th century. The constellation has no known pre-18th century mythology surrounding it.Trivia
*"Pictor" literally means "painter". The name is an abbreviation of "Equuleus Pictoris", "painter's easel".
References
* Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). "Stars and Planets Guide", Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
External links
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/pictor.htm Star Tales – Pictor]
* [http://www.stargazing.net/david/constel/constel/pictor.html Pictor @ Stargazing]
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