Caelum is one of the smallest and dimmest constellations. For northern observers, Caelum is a late fall and early winter constellation. It is in an inconspicuous group lying slightly west of Columba. To find it, look for a rather empty area about 20 degrees northwest of the bright star Canopus in the constellation Carina. For northern observers, Caelum rises just above the southern horizon.
It was first named by the astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century, so it has no mythology associated with it.
Notable Objects
Caelum has no stars brighter than 5th magnitude. Alpha Caeli is a double star with a faint 12th magnitude companion. Gamma Caeli is a closer double star with magnitudes of 4.6 and 8.1.
There are no prominent star clusters or nebulae in Caelum. NGC 1679 is a 13th-magnitude galaxy with an irregular shape best seen in a 12-inch or larger telescope.