Constellation · Sextans · Sex
Sextans constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
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In short
Sextans (Sex) is a equatorial constellation covering 314 square degrees, number 47 of 88 by size. It has no bright stars — the brightest is magnitude 4.5, so you need a dark sky. It is best seen in the evening in April. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season. Its neighbours in the sky: Crater, Hydra, Leo.
Area: 314 square degrees, 47 of 88 · Neighbours: Crater, Hydra, Leo · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Sextans
- 1
When to look
The best time is in April in the evening: in the south, around 21:46.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Crater, Hydra, Leo.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: α Sex (4.5ᵐ), β Sex (5.1ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — march | in the south, around 02:41 | around midnight |
| April | in the south, around 21:46 | in the evening |
| May | in the southwest, around 22:24 | in the evening |
| June — september | — | not visible, behind the Sun |
| October | in the southeast, around 06:04 | before dawn |
| November — december | in the south, around 05:58 | before dawn |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| α Sex | white giant | 4.5ᵐ |
| β Sex | blue-white main-sequence star | 5.1ᵐ |
Sextans FAQ
When is the best time to see Sextans?
Sextans is best seen in the evening in April. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season.
Where is Sextans in the sky?
Sextans is a equatorial constellation. Its neighbours: Crater, Hydra, Leo.
What is the brightest star in Sextans?
α Sex — a white giant, magnitude 4.5.
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0