Apus

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Apus

Constellation
List of stars in Apus
Abbreviation	Aps
Genitive	Apodis
Pronunciation	/ˈeɪpəs/, genitive /ˈæpədɨs/
Symbolism	the bird of paradise
Right ascension	16
Declination	−75
Area	206 sq. deg. (67th)
Main stars	4
Bayer/Flamsteed stars	12
Stars with known planets	0
Bright stars	0
Nearby stars	0
Brightest star	α Aps (3.83m)
Nearest star	HD 122862 (93.5 ly)
Messier objects	None
Meteor showers	None
Bordering constellations	Triangulum Australe Circinus Musca Chamaeleon Octans Pavo Ara
Visible at latitudes between +5° and −90°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July.

Apus is a faint constellation in the southern sky, first defined in the late sixteenth century. Its name means "no feet" in Greek, and it represents a bird of paradise (which were once believed to lack feet). It is bordered by Triangulum Australe, Circinus, Musca, Chamaeleon, Octans, Pavo and Ara. Its genitive is "Apodis".

[edit] History

Apus was one of twelve constellations created by Petrus Plancius from the observations of Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman and it first appeared on a 35-cm diameter celestial globe published in 1597 (or 1598) in Amsterdam by Plancius with Jodocus Hondius. Plancius called the constellation Paradysvogel Apis Indica; the first word is Dutch for 'bird of paradise', but the others are Latin for "Indian Bee"; "apis" (Latin for "bee") is presumably an error for "avis" or "bird". [1] This confusion seems to have prompted a rename of two constellations: "Avis Indica" to "Apus" and the constellation of the bee, Apis, to Musca the fly.^{[citation needed]}

The first depiction of this constellation in a celestial atlas was in Johann Bayer's Uranometria of 1603.

[edit] Notable features

See also: List of stars in Apus

Apus includes two impressive clusters, NGC 6101 and IC 4499, as well as a very unusual nebular structure IC 4633.

[edit] References

• Ridpath, Ian; Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide. London: Collins. ISBN 978-0-00-725120-9. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691135564. 

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Apus

• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Apus
• Peoria Astronomical Society - Apus
• NightSkyInfo.com: Constellation Apus
• WIKISKY.ORG: Apus on WIKISKY
• Star Tales – Apus

Coordinates: 16^h 00^m 00^s, +75° 00′ 00″

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