Constellation Columba
The constellation Columba, also known as the Dove, is a small and faint constellation located in the southern
sky. It was named after the dove that Noah sent to look for dry land after the Great Flood, as described in
the biblical story of Noah’s Ark.
Although Columba is not one of the ancient constellations recognized by Ptolemy, it was introduced by the
Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius in the early 17th century. It is one of the 88 modern constellations
officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union.
Columba is located near the larger constellation Canis Major, the Great Dog, and it is often depicted flying
above it or towards it. The constellation contains several interesting deep-sky objects, including multiple
star systems and distant galaxies.
Main Stars in Columba
Columba is relatively dim, and its main stars are not particularly bright. However, there are a few notable
stars within the constellation:
- Alpha Columbae (Phact): Phact is the brightest star in Columba, with an apparent
magnitude of 2.65. It is a blue-white giant star located about 270 light-years away from Earth. - Beta Columbae: Also known as Wazn, it is a binary star system consisting of two
yellow-white main-sequence stars. Beta Columbae has an apparent magnitude of 3.11. - Gamma Columbae: Gamma Columbae is a binary star system composed of a white giant star
and a smaller companion star. It has an apparent magnitude of 4.36.
Deep-Sky Objects in Columba
Although Columba may be small, it offers some fascinating deep-sky objects for stargazers:
- NGC 1808: NGC 1808 is a barred spiral galaxy located approximately 40 million
light-years away from Earth. It is known for its intense starburst activity, creating new stars at a
remarkable rate. - NGC 1851: NGC 1851 is a globular cluster located about 39,000 light-years away from
Earth. It is one of the most massive globular clusters in the Milky Way galaxy. - Eso 156-23: Also known as the Columba Galaxy, Eso 156-23 is an irregular galaxy located
about 40 million light-years away. It has a unique shape due to interactions with its neighboring
galaxies.
If you’re an avid stargazer or simply interested in exploring the night sky, don’t overlook the faint beauty
of the Columba constellation. Its intriguing history and captivating deep-sky objects make it a worthwhile
target for observation.