Pyxis (The Mariner's Compass) Constellation
Pyxis (pronounced ˈpɪksɪs) 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 Mariner's compass" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Pyx" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Pyxi" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).
The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Pyxidis" (pronounced ˈpɪksɪdɪs) 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 Pyxidis (the brightest star of Pyxis based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Pyxidis (the 23th star in the constellation of Pyxis based on the Flamsteed catalog).
Sky Chart of Pyxis Constellation
Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Pyxis constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Pyxis in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Visibility of Pyxis Constellation
Location: Greenwich, UK
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Today's Pyxis rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, UK are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):
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 Pyxis Constellation
The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Pyxis constellation. See also the complete list of 48 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Pyxis. Click on each star to see more details about it.
HR Number(*) | Star designation | Proper name | Visual magnitude | Color | Notes | |
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HR3468 | α Pyxidis | 3.68 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR3438 | β Pyxidis | 3.97 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR3518 | γ Pyxidis | 4.01 | ⬤ | ||
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HR3628 | κ Pyxidis | 4.58 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | |
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HR3733 | λ Pyxidis | 4.69 | ⬤ | ||
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HR3718 | θ Pyxidis | 4.72 | ⬤ | ||
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HR3556 | δ Pyxidis | 4.89 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR3433 | ζ Pyxidis | 4.89 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | |
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HR3430 | 5.05 | ⬤ | Multiple; | ||
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HR3512 | 5.21 | ⬤ | Variable; | ||
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HR3420 | η Pyxidis | 5.27 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR3367 | 5.42 | ⬤ | Double; | ||
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HR3644 | ε Pyxidis | 5.59 | ⬤ | Multiple; | |
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HR3362 | 5.65 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | ||
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HR3343 | 5.75 | ⬤ | Variable; Multiple; | ||
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HR3479 | 5.76 | ⬤ | Variable; | ||
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HR3513 | 5.87 | ⬤ | |||
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HR3402 | 5.96 | ⬤ | |||
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HR3483 | 6.1 | ⬤ | |||
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HR3745 | 6.1 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | ||
...go to the complete list of 48 bright stars in the constellation of Pyxis |
(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.
Deep Sky Objects in Pyxis Constellation
The table below lists all the deep sky objects in the Pyxis constellation. See also the complete list of 13 deep sky objects in the constellation of Pyxis. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).