ASCII/Astroarts StellaNavigator
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A minor constellation of Sextans is positioned just south of Leo.
The constellation had been established by Hevelius in 17th century, formed from fine stars with 4th or 5th magnitude.
We can hardly trace the figure of constellation from such an incomprehensible asterism.
The "Sextant" is a kind of old-fashioned surveying instrument used in sailing.
And there is another constellation of same kind "Octans", but it cannot be appreciated at the northern hemisphere because the constellation is circumvolving around the celestial South Pole.
The sextant has a celestial territory of a true square and the celestial equator is crossing through the constellation.
Some galaxies are contained, among them, NGC3115 is one of the brightest galaxies scattered in this field, it has a nickname of "Spindle Galaxy", can be easily enjoyed only with small scopes.
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Guide for Deep Sky Objects
