The constellation Microscopium

The constellation Microscopium

Microscopium is a constellation of the southern hemisphere. Its brightest star is γ Microscopii, which has an apparent magnitude of only 4.68 mag. The constellation lies south of the constellation Capricornus and east of the constellation Sagittarius.

However, even inconspicuous constellations have one or two surprises in store for those who observe them. For example, in 2003 a debris disc was discovered around the still very young star AU Microscopii. This disc could be a birthplace for new planets. Since 2020, two young planets have also been detected there.

Also interesting is the star BO Microscopii, which is also still very young and is known among astronomers as “Speedy Mic”. Speedy Mic turns once around its own axis in only nine hours. The Earth, on the other hand, needs 24 hours for this, and the sun 26 days.

History

The French theologian Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, who devoted his life to astronomy, geodesy and mathematics, introduced 14 new constellations of the southern hemisphere. In 1750, he set off on a four-year journey to the Cape of Good Hope in order to observe, among other things, the constellations of the southern sky. During this time, he catalogued almost 10,000 stars. Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille named most of his new constellations after technical instruments. In this way, the constellations Sculptor, Fornax, Caelum, Antlia, Pictor, Microscopium, Reticulum, Octans, Horologium, Pyxis, Mensa, Telescopium, Norma and Circinus came into being. He also divided the large ancient constellation Argo Navis into the three constellations Carina, Puppis and Vela. His star catalogue of the southern sky was published in 1763, one year after his death, under the title “Coelum Australe Stelliferum”. What his 14 new constellations have in common is that they consist of relatively faint stars.