Chamaeleon constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Chamaeleon (Cha) is a southern constellation covering 132 square degrees, number 79 of 88 by size. It has no bright stars — the brightest is magnitude 4.1, so you need a dark sky. It is best seen in the evening in April. It never rises over London — it is visible south of 1° north. Its neighbours in the sky: Apus, Carina, Mensa, Musca, Octans, Volans.
Area: 132 square degrees, 79 of 88 · Neighbours: Apus, Carina, Mensa, Musca, Octans, Volans · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Chamaeleon
- 1
Where it is visible
The constellation rises above the horizon south of 1° north and is well seen from the southern hemisphere.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Apus, Carina, Mensa, Musca.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: α Cha (4.1ᵐ), γ Cha (4.1ᵐ), β Cha (4.3ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — december | — | never rises |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| α Cha | yellow-white giant | 4.1ᵐ |
| γ Cha | red giant | 4.1ᵐ |
| β Cha | blue-white main-sequence star | 4.3ᵐ |
Chamaeleon FAQ
When is the best time to see Chamaeleon?
Where is Chamaeleon in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Chamaeleon?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0