Octans (The Octant) Constellation
Octans (pronounced ˈɒktænz) is the Latin name of a constellation situated close to the southern celestial pole. As such, it is easilty visible for most part of the year from the southern hemisphere.
In English language this constellation is also known as "The Octant" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Oct" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Octn" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).
The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Octantis" (pronounced ɒkˈtæntɪs) and it is used to identify some of the brightest stars in this constellation based on the Bayer or Flamsteed star naming convention. For instance: α Octantis (the brightest star of Octans based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Octantis (the 23th star in the constellation of Octans based on the Flamsteed catalog).
Sky Chart of Octans Constellation
Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Octans constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Octans in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Visibility of Octans Constellation
Location: Greenwich, UK
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Octans is currently not visible from Greenwich, UK
The rise and set times provided here are just directional indications and they refer to a point approximately placed at the center of the constellation. In case of very large constellations these times can have little relevance.
Bright Stars in Octans Constellation
The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Octans constellation. See also the complete list of 67 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Octans. Click on each star to see more details about it.
HR Number(*) | Star designation | Proper name | Visual magnitude | Color | Notes | |
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HR8254 | ν Octantis | 3.76 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR8630 | β Octantis | 4.15 | ⬤ | ||
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HR5339 | δ Octantis | 4.32 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR9084 | θ Octantis | 4.78 | ⬤ | ||
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HR8481 | ε Octantis | 5.1 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR9032 | γ1 Octantis | 5.11 | ⬤ | ||
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HR8021 | α Octantis | 5.15 | ⬤ | ||
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HR30 | γ3 Octantis | 5.28 | ⬤ | ||
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HR6721 | χ Octantis | 5.28 | ⬤ | ||
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HR8280 | λ Octantis | 5.29 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR8663 | ξ Octantis | 5.35 | ⬤ | ||
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HR3678 | ζ Octantis | 5.42 | ⬤ | ||
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HR4870 | ι Octantis | 5.46 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR7228 | σ Octantis | Polaris Australis | 5.47 | ⬤ | Variable; |
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HR6829 | φ Octantis | 5.47 | ⬤ | ||
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HR8862 | τ Octantis | 5.49 | ⬤ | ||
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HR8471 | ψ Octantis | 5.51 | ⬤ | ||
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HR5729 | ρ Octantis | 5.57 | ⬤ | ||
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HR5084 | κ Octantis | 5.58 | ⬤ | ||
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HR5525 | π1 Octantis | 5.65 | ⬤ | ||
...go to the complete list of 67 bright stars in the constellation of Octans |
(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.
Deep Sky Objects in Octans Constellation
The table below lists all the deep sky objects in the Octans constellation. See also the complete list of 17 deep sky objects in the constellation of Octans. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).