Pictor

Pictor derives its name from Latin, meaning "painter," with the constellation representing a painter's easel. Its positioning in the southern celestial hemisphere makes it less visible from most northern latitudes, primarily observable between latitudes +15 and -90 degrees.

History

Pictor is a faint constellation introduced by Abbé Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century. Its creation and name were conceptualized by Lacaille, attributing it to an easel, signifying an artist's tool.

Stars

Alpha Pictoris stands as its brightest star, categorized as a white main-sequence star situated approximately 97 light-years away.

Galaxies

Within the constellation lies the Pictor Galaxy Cluster, also known as the Pictor Group, residing roughly 485 million light-years from Earth. This cluster showcases various galaxies, including spirals and ellipticals.