Fornax

Quick Facts

Name:	Fornax for-NAX
Meaning:	Furnace
Abbreviation:	For
Genitive:	Fornacis
Visible in Latitudes:	50° thru -90°
Viewing Season:	Fall
Best Seen In:	December, 9:00 pm
Transit Date:	November 9
Right Ascension:	2.78 hours
Declination:	-31.6 degrees
Area:	397.502 sq. degrees

Star Diagram

Star Diagram: Fornax

About Fornax

Fornax was named by Abbé Nicolas Louis de Lacaille during his stay at the Cape of Good Hope between 1751 and 1752. It was named the Chemical Furnace in honor of Antoine Lavoisier, who was guillotined in the French Revolution in 1794. Lacaille created it out of several faint stars in the constellation Eridanus.

Named Stars

Name		Star

Fornacis		Alpha For

Neighboring Constellations

Cetus
Eridanus

Phoenix
Sculptor