Chamaeleon

Cha

Chamaeleontis

Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Chameleon

Origin:
The chameleon is known for the ability to adapt its color to its surroundings so as to effectively camouflage itself.  The constellation may be even better at remaining invisible.  Drawn first in Johann Bayer's Uranometria in 1603.

Information:
In spite of being in a region of the southern sky nearly devoid of stars, the chameleon is so faint (no star brighter than magnitude 4) that it is itself almost imperceptible.  Chamaeleon is very close to the south celestial pole so is never visible to northern observers.  Chamaeleon is highest in the southern sky around 9 pm in mid-April.