Constellation Indus (Indian)
Date:
Southern Hemisphere
Autumn
Indian
Indus
The Indian (lat. Indus) is an inconspicuous constellation of the southern hemisphere. The brightest star of the constellation is Alpha Indi, a 3.1m bright red sub giant at 101 light years distance.
How to spot Indus
Indus is located between the bright stars of Grus and Pavo. With an area of 294 square degrees, the constellation is best seen in the fall. In the north it borders on Microscopium.
History
At the end of the 16th century, a Dutch fleet traveled to the legendary Spice Islands to create new trade relationships. Under Captain Keyser, the positions of 135 stars were measured during this journey, which were later included by Peter Plancius in his sky maps. From these he recognized twelve new constellations, including "De Indiaen". A few years later, the constellation was recorded as "Indus" in the new Sky Atlas.