Octans Constellation Meaning

Octans Constellation [Stellarium]

Constellation Octans The Octant is a southern constellation bordering Apus, Chamaeleon, Mensa, Hydrus, Tucana and Pavo. It was introduced by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1752 and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. Octans spans 50 degrees of the zodiac in the Signs of Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.

Octans Constellation Stars

2000	2050	Star	Name	Sp. Class	Mag.	Orb
19♐01	19♐43	δ Oct		K2	4.31	1°10′
01♑51	02♑34	σ Oct	Polaris Australis	F0	5.45	1°00′
18♑00	18♑43	β Oct		A9	4.13	1°20′
19♑41	20♑23	ν Oct		K0	3.76	1°30′
00♒05	00♒47	θ Oct		K2	4.78	1°00′

σ Oct is officially named Polaris Australis, Latin for the “South Pole Star.” It is positioned one degree from the southern celestial pole, in nearly direct opposition to the North Star, Polaris.

Octans Astrology

Robson

OCTANS HADLEIANUS. Hadley’s Octant.

History. Formed by La Caille in 1752 in recognition of the octant invented in 1730 by John Hadley. It is now usually abbreviated to Octancs.

Influence. It is said to give a scientific mind marred by ill-regulated passions, psychic disturbances and discord. ^[1]

Octans Constellation [Bode]

Allen

Octans Hadleianus, now known simply as Octans, was formed and published by La Caille in 1752 in recognition of the octant invented in 1730 by John Hadley.

Gould assigns to it 88 naked-eye stars down to the 7th magnitude; the brightest, ν, being only of 3.8; but the constellation is noteworthy as marking the south pole, its 5.8‑magnitude σ being about ¾ of a degree away. A straight line from α Crucis to β Hydri almost touches the pole at ⅓ of the distance from the latter star.

Pliny [N. H. V.69] tells us that the Hindus had given it a name, Dramasa, —

Austrinum Polum Indi Dramasa vocant.

The heathen Arabs, too, seem to have had some knowledge of it, for they imagined that, like its northern counterpart, it exercised a healing power on all afflicted persons who would attentively observe it. ^[2]