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Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Tucana
Origin:
One of the constellations in the southern sky, formally introduced by Johann Bayer in Uranometria in
1603. Its origins date back several years earlier and is attributed
to the Dutch navigator P.D. Keyser. Tucana commemorates the
exotic bird, the Toucan, which had been only recently discovered in South
America. Two other exotic birds grace the south celestial polar
region; Pavo (the Peacock) and Apus
(Bird of Paradise).
Information:
Tucana is a small inconspicuous constellation not visible by observers
north of 30° N lat. Tucana contains a spectacular globular cluster
and several excellent double stars. The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)
is near the southeast border between Tucana and Hydrus.
Locating the SMC helps to locate the faint Toucan. |
