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Reticulum Constellation [Stellarium]
Reticulum was introduced by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1752 and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It spans 45 degrees of the zodiac in the Signs of Pisces and Aries.
This constellation represents the reticle, a net of cross-hairs at the focus of a telescope eyepiece used to measure star positions.
Abbreviation: Ret
Genitive: Reticuli
Reticulum Constellation Stars
| 2000 | 2050 | Star | Name | Sp. Class | Mag. | Orb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21♓23 | 22♓07 | β Ret | K0 | 3.84 | 1°30′ | |
| 23♓55 | 24♓38 | ζ1 Ret | G3 | 5.52 | 1°00′ | |
| 24♓11 | 24♓55 | ζ2 Ret | G2 | 5.22 | 1°00′ | |
| 25♓08 | 25♓51 | κ Ret | F5 | 4.71 | 1°00′ | |
| 04♈58 | 05♈42 | γ Ret | M4 | 4.48 | 1°10′ | |
| 07♈03 | 07♈47 | δ Ret | M2 | 4.56 | 1°10′ | |
| 07♈30 | 08♈14 | α Ret | G7 | 3.33 | 1°40′ | |
| 19♈36 | 20♈20 | ε Ret | K2 | 4.44 | 1°10′ |
Reticulum Astrology
Robson
RETICULUM RHOMBOIDALIS. The Rhomboidal Net.
History. Formed by Habrecht of Strassburg.
Influence. It gives a restricted life, self-absorption, tenacity, selfishness and emotion. [1]
Reticulum Constellation [Bode]
Allen
Riculum Rhomboidalis, the Rhomboidal Net, is generally supposed to be of La Caille’s formation as a memorial of the reticle which he used in making his celebrated southern observations; but it was first drawn by Isaak Habrecht, of Strassburg, as the Rhombus, and so probably only adopted by its reputed inventor. It lies north of Hydrus and the Greater Cloud, containing thirty-four stars from 3.3 to 7th magnitudes. It is the French Réticule or Rhombe, the German Rhomboidische Netz, and the Italian Reticolo. [2]
References
- Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.59.
- Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, Richard H. Allen, 1889, p.348-349.
Beta Reticuli’s zodiacal degree seems to be mistaken here! ⚠️
Yohan Midhelf says on his book that this star is situated on the 2nd pada of Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra and the website Constellation of Words confirms it by saying that this star is situated on degree 21 of tropical Pisces (Neptune’s actual transiting place by the way, which could perfectly explain such mess).
There’s another type of reticule which is a small fussy handbag carried by ladies in about the early 1800’s. It was used to carry small articles, like for example a perfumed hankie. It had a drawstring at the top to close it up.
Until I realized that it was a small attachment, presumably of the eyepiece of the telescope, I wondered why La Caille would want to immortalize it, and WHY the rhomboid shape?? He was a clergyman, so maybe he kept his rosary beads there? Or perhaps a tiny cloth to polish the lens??
I think La Caille made his observations of the southern skies from South Africa, which is where I live. I think he was based in Cape Town. Didn’t he delineate and name Mensa (= Table Mountain)?
Anyway… I think I like my story of the name better than the official one, but I have to concede that La Caille’s new little bitty southern constellations are mostly concerned with new scientific inventions.