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Antlia, the Air Pump

Ant

Antliae

Sky Chart of Antlia

Origin:
One of the 14 constellations in the southern sky, introduced by the French astronomer, Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1754. The constellation honors the Irish scientist Robert Boyle (notable for his studies of the gas laws in the mid-1600's) for his invention of the air pump.

Information:
Antlia, the Air Pump is located on a north-south line between Hydra and Vela. Antlia ranks among the most inconspicuous constellations with no star brighter than magnitude 4.25. It culminates at 9 pm around April 19.