Caelum - The Sculptors Chisel

Learn about the constellation Caelum - The Sculptors Chisel, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

By Tim Trott • January 5, 2012

Caelum is a minor southern constellation introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille.

Location: Southern Constellation 5h RA -40° Dec

Caelum has just one new general catalogued galaxy NGC 1679 of the 13th magnitude. Gamma Caelum is a double star consisting of a red giant and a white giant.

Mythology

Since this is a southern constellation, invented in the 17th century, there is no pre-17th-century mythology associated with it.

Deep Space Objects

Due to its small size and location away from the plane of the Milky Way, Caelum is a rather barren constellation, with few objects of interest.

The only deep-sky object in Caelum to receive much attention is HE0450-2958, an unusual Seyfert galaxy. Originally, the jet's host galaxy proved elusive to find, and this jet appeared to be emanating from nothing. Although it has been suggested that the object is an ejected supermassive black hole, the host is now agreed to be a small galaxy that is difficult to see due to light from the jet and a nearby starburst galaxy.

More Constellations

Northern Circumpolar
Camelopardalis Cassiopeia Cepheus Draco Lacerta Ursa Major
Ursa Minor
Northern Spring
Antlia Boötes Cancer Coma Berenices Crater Hydra
Leo Leo Minor Virgo
Northern Summer
Aquila Corona Borealis Cygnus Delphinus Equuleus Hercules
Libra Lyra Ophiuchus Sagitta Scutum Serpens
Vulpecula
Northern Autumn
Andromeda Aquarius Aries Capricornus Pegasus Pisces
Triangulum
Northern Winter
Auriga Canes Venatici Canis Major Canis Minor Cetus Eridanus
Gemini Lepus Lynx Monoceros Orion Perseus
Taurus
Southern Constellations
Apus Ara Caelum Carina Centaurus Chamaeleon
Circinus Columba Corona Australis Corvus Crux Dorado
Fornax Grus Horologium Hydrus Indus Lupus
Mensa Microscopium Musca Norma Octans Pavo
Phoenix Pictor Piscis Austrinus Puppis Pyxis Reticulum
Sagittarius Scorpius Sculptor Sextans Telescopium Triangulum Australe
Tucana Vela Volans

About the Author

Tim Trott is an avid stargazer and astrophotographer whose passion for the cosmos fuels a lifelong journey of exploration and wonder. Through Perfect Astronomy, he shares the beauty of the night sky and the art of capturing it, blending science and creativity to inspire curious minds and aspiring astrophotographers alike. Join him as he turns every starry night into a story waiting to be told.

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