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Constellation · best in October evenings

Sculptor

Genitive Sculptoris · Scl
Low after darkLow · south · 7° at 00:37
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Where is Sculptor?

Times for LondonChange city

Low in the south, at most 7° up around 00:37.

Rises
21:48
Highest
00:32
Sets
03:17
Best after dark
00:37 · 7°

How to find Sculptor

Nearby constellations include Phoenix, Cetus and Eridanus.

Its center is at right ascension 0h 29m, declination −32°. Use the chart above: north is up and east is to the left, as when you face south from the Northern Hemisphere.

Best time to see Sculptor

Sculptor is highest in the evening sky, around 10 pm, in October. A month or two either side it is still well placed, earlier or later in the night. All of it rises above the horizon from latitudes of about 40° N to 90° S.

From London tonight, Sculptor stays low while the sky is dark: at best 7° above the south horizon around 00:37. You’ll need a clear, flat view in that direction.

This is position and timing only: clouds, haze and light pollution aren’t included.

Seeing Sculptor

Eyes

Its stars are fairly faint (the brightest, its alpha star, is mag 4.3). You’ll need a sky away from bright lights to trace the pattern.

Binoculars

Binoculars show many more stars than your eye, and bring out star clusters and brighter nebulae inside it.

Telescope

The constellation is far too large for a telescope’s view. Use one for the clusters, nebulae and galaxies inside it.

What you’re likely to see, not what a space telescope photographs. General guidance from catalog brightness and size, not a forecast for tonight.

About

Sculptor (genitive Sculptoris, abbreviated Scl) is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union, which together cover the whole sky.

Questions

When is Sculptor visible?
Sculptor is highest in the evening sky, around 10 pm, in October. In the months either side it is still well placed, earlier or later in the night.
Can I see Sculptor from where I live?
All of Sculptor rises above the horizon from latitudes of about 40° N to 90° S. Outside that range, part or all of it stays below the horizon.