Constellation Apus
An inconspicuous constellation in the south polar region of the sky, created by German astronomer Johan Bayer in the 17th century. It is visible at latitudes between +5° and -90°, and best visible during the month of July.
Abbreviation: Aps Genitive: Apodis English name: The bird of paradise
Notable Stars in Apus
Alpha Apodis – The brightest star of the constellation, shining at magnitude 3.8.
Delta Apodis – A wide double star consisting of two orange 5th-magnitude stars separated by 103 arcseconds. Both stars are easily visible in binoculars.
Kappa-1 Apodis – A double star approximately 1020 light years from Earth. The brightest component has a magnitude of 5.4 and the companion is 12th magnitude, 27 arcseconds away.
Kappa-2 Apodis – Kappa-2 is separated by 0.63 degrees from Kappa-1. It is also a double star, consisting of two 5.6 and 12 magnitude stars separated by 15 arcseconds.
Theta Apodis – A variable star located approximately 330 light years from Earth. Its brightness ranges from magnitude 4.8 to 6.1 in a period of 109 days.
Notable Deep Sky Objects in Apus
NGC 6101 – A small globular cluster located seven degrees north of the 4th-magnitude star Gamma Apodis. It shines at magnitude 9.2, and it should be visible with a 4.5-inch telescope if you observe from a dark location.
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