Piscis Austrinus

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The constellation Piscis Austrinus, the southern fish, is located in the southern hemisphere of the sky. It is visible at latitudes south of 53 degrees north from July through September. It is a small constellation, occupying only 245 square degrees of the sky. This ranks it 60th in size among the 88 constellations in the night sky. It is bordered by Capricornus to the northwest, Microscopium to the southwest, Grus to the south, Sculptor to the east, Aquarius to the north.

Piscis Austrinus is one of the 48 constellations cataloged in the second century by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy. Its name means “southern fish.” It is sometimes also referred to Piscis Austalis. Until the 20th century it was known as Piscis Notius. In the 16th century, the Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius removed some of the stars to form the constellation Grus. Piscis Austrinus has been seen as a constellation since ancient Babylonian times. The Babylonians knew it simply as the Fish. In Greek mythology, it was known as the Great Fish and was portrayed as drinking the water that was being poured out by Aquarius. The two fish in the constellation Pisces were said to be offspring of the Great Fish. In Egyptian mythology, the fish saved the life of the goddess Isis. She showed her gratitude by placing the fish in the heavens as a constellation.