Constellation · Cha
Chamaeleon
The Chameleon
A small, faint constellation close to the south celestial pole.
Magnitude 4.05
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 Chamaeleon 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 | Chamaeleon |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Never rises |
| 40°N | Never rises |
| 20°N | Never rises |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | Visible all night, all year (it never sets) |
| 40°S | Visible all night, all year (it never sets) |
| 60°S | Visible all night, all year (it never sets) |
Questions about Chamaeleon
When is Chamaeleon best seen?
Chamaeleon 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 Chamaeleon?
The brightest star in Chamaeleon is Alpha Chamaeleontis, magnitude 4.05.
Where on Earth can you see Chamaeleon?
The whole of Chamaeleon can be seen from latitudes between about 90°S and 7°N. From 40°N: Never rises. From 35°S: Visible all night, all year (it never sets).
What does Chamaeleon mean?
Chamaeleon is Latin for "the Chameleon". Charted by Dutch navigators in the late 1500s.