The Constellation Directory

Abbreviation: Ret
Genitive: Reticuli
Constellation family: Lacaille
Nearest constellations: Dorado, Horologium, and Hydrus
Right ascension: 3.88h
Declination: -61.15°
Visible between latitudes: +20° and -90°
Square degrees: 114
Luminary: Alpha Reticuli
Notable deep sky objects: NGC 1559

About

Reticulum is a small, dim constellation in the Southern Hemisphere. It is best viewed in January.

It was created by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in the mid-1700s and is one of 15 constellations he developed to fill the southern night sky. He named it after the reticle; a reticle is a set of lines in the eyepiece of a device (such as a microscope or a gun sight) that is used for measuring and locating objects. They are sometimes used in telescopes to locate stars and other astronomical entities.

Reticulum is sometimes called "the Net" instead of "the Reticle."

Mythology

There is no mythology associated with this constellation.