Hawaiian Astronomical Society

Constellations: Reticulum -- From Geometric Shape to Reticle

Myth

Lacaille gave this constellation its current name. Originally, Isaak Habrecht, the Swiss (Schaffhausen) clockmaker had named this region of sky the Rhombus. Habrecht made a name for himself rebuilding the astronomically themed clock of the Ulm City Hall (in 1520). Later he built the astronomical clocks of the Heilbron City Hall (1580), and the Straßbourg Cathedral.

Speaking of Heilbron, my research uncovered an appreciation of the city by Paul Hegelmaier, the (former?) Lord High Mayor. He clearly uses Göthe's Götz von Berlichingen as his inspiration.

Leck mich am Arsch, Du Stadt der Krämerseelen,
aus Dir blas ich heut meinen Abschiedsmarsch.
An Narrenstreichen wird es Dir wohl niemals fehlen,
daf�r an Licht - leb� wohl! Ade! Leck mich am Arsch. Kiss my ass, you city of money grubbers,
from you today I trumpet my farewell march.
You will never want for foolish stooges,
therefore to the light - farewell! Adieu! Kiss my ass.

Let's hope Habrecht had an easier time of it.

Maps

Each map can be clicked on to produce a 929x1200 version of it. They sport red labels, which look good on screen, but which disappear when used with red flashlights. Each map, therefore has a second link to a map better suited for printing in a graphics program, and using in the field. While the maps are quite large, they are all about 25-55k, and so are easy to view at today's modem speeds. The first map is a wide area view of the constellation, suitable for naked eye browsing. The next views are binocular width, showing stars to mag. 10, and labeling deepsky objects to magnitude 12.

Interactive, wide area map of Reticulum

Click the map for a 929x1200 version of the above. Click here for a map better suited for use in the field.

Detailed Map

This a more detailed view of the constellation. The map displays stars to magnitude 10, and deepsky objects to magnitude 12. Click here for a map better suited for use in the field.

Images

Image thumbnail 15k JPEG NGC1313 (Bennett 13) is a barred spiral galaxy located in southwestern Reticulum, midway between Beta Reticuli and Zeta Hydri. Dreyer describes it as fairly bright, large, extended, brightening slowly toward the middle, and mottled.
Image by David Malin from the Anglo-Australian Observatory.

Map Printable Map

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