Constellation · Ant
Antlia
The Air Pump
A faint southern constellation named by Lacaille for the air pump, a scientific instrument of his day. It has no star brighter than about magnitude 4.3.
Magnitude 4.28
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (spring in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Can you see Antlia from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Antlia |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 40°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 60°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
Questions about Antlia
When is Antlia best seen?
Antlia stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in April. That makes spring evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Antlia?
The brightest star in Antlia is Alpha Antliae, magnitude 4.28.
Where on Earth can you see Antlia?
The whole of Antlia can be seen from latitudes between about 90°S and 50°N. From 40°N: The whole constellation rises and sets. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Antlia mean?
Antlia is Latin for "the Air Pump". Introduced by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 1750s.