Constellation The Compass

Pyxis (The Compass): gift, map and visability

  • Meaning: The Compass
  • Best seen in: March
  • Family: Heavenly Waters
  • Latitude: +50° to -90°

Pyxis or The Compass is one of the 88 constellations modern astronomers have divided the sky into. It's part of the Heavenly Waters constellation family. Pyxis is best seen in March (from latitudes +50° to -90°).

Pyxis represents a magnetic compass as used by seamen. It is located near the stern of the ship Argo in the same area as the ship’s mast. The Milky Way passes through Pyxis, with the constellation’s nearest neighbors including Antlia, Hydra, Puppis and Vela. One way to locate Pyxis is by following an imaginary line running through the tail of Canis Major to just the other side of Puppis.

Pyxis Constellation Map

Pyxis Constellation Map
Pyxis icon

Main Stars in The Compass (Pyxis)

The constellation Pyxis contains several bright stars that make up its shape. Some of these main stars are known as:

  • Alpha Pyxidis
  • Beta Pyxidis
  • Gamma Pyxidis
  • T Pyxidis
  • Kappa Pyxidis
  • Theta Pyxidis
  • Zeta Pyxidis

Some of the deep sky objects which have been discovered in Pyxis include: NGC 2818, NGC 2627, NGC 2613.

You can now name your own star in the constellation of Pyxis in just a few clicks. Name the star, view it in 3D and look it up with the OSR Star Finder App!

Name a Star Video
88 constellations: Find out more about each of the 88 constellations and the 12 zodiacs!
Constellation facts about Pyxis

View your star with the OSR Star Finder App!

Search, locate, and gaze at your own star with the OSR Star Finder App. You can download the app for FREE in the AppStore or the Play Store!

Download on the AppStore Download in the Play Store

or read this blogpost

OSR Star Finder App