Phoenix is a southern constellation south of Fornax and Sculptor, and north of Tucana. To find Phoenix, first locate the bright star Achernar in Eridanus. Phoenix is about 10 degrees to the northwest.
History and MythologyPhoenix was introduced by Johann Bayer in the seventeenth century. In mythology, the Phoenix represented a beautiful bird with gold and red feathers and a lovely voice. It was the symbol of renewal and immortality.
The Phoenix was believed to live as long as 500 years. At the end of its life, it would build a pile of leaves and twigs, light a fire, and then throw itself into the flames to be consumed. A new phoenix would rise from the ashes, and then fly away. The phoenix appeared in both Egyptian art and on Roman coins.
Notable Objects
Phoenix contains only three stars brighter than 4th magnitude. The brightest star is Ankaa, which is 2nd magnitude. Beta Phoenicis is a double star consisting of two 4th magnitude yellow stars.
Phoenix contains a few faint galaxies. NGC 625 is the best in the group. It appears almost edge-on as an elliptical cloud with a bright nucleus.