Pictor (The Easel) Constellation
Pictor (pronounced ˈpɪktər) is the Latin name of a constellation situated south of the celestial equator. As such, it is more easily visible from the southern hemisphere.
In English language this constellation is also known as "The Easel" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Pic" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Pict" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).
The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Pictoris" (pronounced pɪkˈtɔːrɪs) 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 Pictoris (the brightest star of Pictor based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Pictoris (the 23th star in the constellation of Pictor based on the Flamsteed catalog).
Sky Chart of Pictor Constellation
Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Pictor constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Pictor in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Visibility of Pictor Constellation
Location: Greenwich, UK
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Pictor 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 Pictor Constellation
The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Pictor constellation. See also the complete list of 49 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Pictor. Click on each star to see more details about it.
HR Number(*) | Star designation | Proper name | Visual magnitude | Color | Notes | |
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HR2550 | α Pictoris | 3.27 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2020 | β Pictoris | 3.85 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2042 | γ Pictoris | 4.51 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2212 | δ Pictoris | 4.81 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR1663 | η2 Pictoris | 5.03 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR2196 | 5.05 | ⬤ | Variable; | ||
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HR2049 | 5.17 | ⬤ | |||
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HR2389 | 5.22 | ⬤ | Variable; | ||
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HR2094 | 5.29 | ⬤ | |||
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HR2008 | 5.31 | ⬤ | Double; | ||
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HR1516 | λ Pictoris | 5.31 | ⬤ | ||
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HR1649 | η1 Pictoris | 5.38 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR1767 | ζ Pictoris | 5.45 | ⬤ | ||
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HR1856 | 5.46 | ⬤ | Multiple; | ||
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HR2320 | ν Pictoris | 5.61 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2138 | 5.67 | ⬤ | |||
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HR2412 | μ Pictoris | 5.7 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR2345 | 5.8 | ⬤ | |||
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HR2117 | 5.81 | ⬤ | |||
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HR2369 | 5.82 | ⬤ | |||
...go to the complete list of 49 bright stars in the constellation of Pictor |
(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.
Deep Sky Objects in Pictor Constellation
The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Pictor constellation. See also the complete list of 23 deep sky objects in the constellation of Pictor. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).