This constellation can be seen from the Southern Hemisphere from January to May. Antlia is visible from the mid-northern latitudes near the horizon south of the constellation Leo. Antlia is at its highest point in the sky in spring. Its neighbors in the sky are Centaurus, Hydra, Pyxis and Vela.
History and MythologyAntlia is among the most inconspicuous of constellations. It was first described by de Lacaille in the 18th century. It was named the Air Pump after the invention of the Irish Scientist Robert Boyle. Antlia bears little resemblance to an air pump, and it occupies a relatively empty region of the sky.
Notable ObjectsThere are no prominent stars in this constellation. Alpha Antliae, at magnitude 4.25, is visible only on a clear night. Delta Antliae is a close double star consisting of stars of fifth and ninth magnitude, separated by 1.1 arcseconds.
There is one easily observed galaxy in Antlia: NGC 2997 is an 10th magnitude spiral galaxy, which can be seen with a moderate-sized telescope.