Triangulum Australe - The Southern Triangle

Triangulum Australe is a small constellation located between Ara, Norma, Apus, and Circinus. This southern constellation is circumpolar for most southern hemisphere observers.

History and Mythology

Triangulum Australe was named by Bayer in the 17th century. This prominent triangle was probably used by mariners for navigation. Because it is a modern constellation, there is no mythology connected with it.

Notable Objects

The brightest star is in Triangulum Australe is Atria, of magnitude 1.9, and 105 light-years away. Beta is magnitude 2.8, and 39 light-years away. Gamma is magnitude 2.9, and 110 light-years away.

NGC 6025 is a small open cluster that can be seen with binoculars. It contains about 60 stars magnitude of 7th magnitude and fainter. NGC 5979 is a small round nebula with stars of 13th magnitude.