Phoenix

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The constellation Phoenix, the phoenix, is located in the southern hemisphere of the sky. It is completely visible in latitudes south of 32 degrees from September through November, all though it is very low in the sky for anyone north of 40 degrees. It is a medium-sized constellation occupying an area of 469 square degrees. This makes it the 37th largest constellation in the night sky. It is bordered by Fornax and Sculptor to the north, Grus to the west, Tucana to the south, touching on the corner of Hydrus to the south, and Eridanus to the east and southeast. It is one of four constellations known as the “Southern Birds,” along with Grus, Pavo, and Tucana.

There are no mythological origins to the constellation Phoenix. It is the largest of twelve constellations listed by astronomer Petrus Plancius based on the observations of Dutch navigators. It first appeared on a celestial globe published by Plancius in 1597. It was later included in Johann Bayer’s star atlas published in 1603. The constellation represents the legendary bird that would be consumed by fire and then emerge from the flames reborn. The phoenix was believed to resemble an eagle with purple, gold, and red feathers. It would live for 500 years and then burst into flames and die in the fire. A new bird would then emerge from the ashes of the old.