Indus (constellation)

The brightest star in the constellation, Alpha Indi, is visual magnitude 3.11.

Epsilon Indi is one of the closest stars to Earth, approximately 11.82 light years away. The system has been discovered to contain a pair of binary brown dwarfs, and has long been a prime candidate in SETI studies.

History

The constellation was one of twelve constellations created by Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman between 1595 and 1597, and it first appeared in Johann Bayer's Uranometria of 1603. Bayer portrayed the figure as a nude male with arrows in both hands but no bow.

Since Indus was introduced in the 17th century, and lies in the south, it was not known to classical or early European cultures. Thus they produced no mythology concerning it.

References

• Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

• Starry Night Photography: Indus Constellation
• Star Tales – Indus