What it looks like
Piscis Austrinus is a modest southern constellation drawn as a fish drinking water poured by Aquarius above it. Its brightest star, Fomalhaut, is the 18th-brightest star in the night sky and is surrounded by a famous debris disc — a ring of dust and ice analogous to the early solar system.
Brightest stars
Piscis Austrinus is dominated by Fomalhaut, one of the brightest stars in the autumn sky, with all other stars much fainter.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fomalhaut (α Piscis Austrini) | +1.16 | 25 ly | Mouth of the Fish |
| Epsilon Piscis Austrini | +4.17 | 400 ly | — |
| Delta Piscis Austrini | +4.21 | 150 ly | — |
| Beta Piscis Austrini | +4.29 | 143 ly | — |
Mythology and history
In Greek myth, Piscis Austrinus is the parent of the two fish of Pisces, and is shown drinking the water poured by Aquarius.
The parent fish
Piscis Austrinus is one of the oldest constellations, appearing in Babylonian star catalogues as early as 2000 BC. In Greek tradition it was seen as the parent of the two fish that make up Pisces: when Aphrodite and Eros transformed into fish to escape Typhon, the Southern Fish was already in the sky, and the two fish of Pisces were said to be its offspring. The constellation is shown with its mouth open, drinking the stream of water poured down by Aquarius the Water Bearer.
How to find it
Look for Fomalhaut, the only bright star in a large empty region of the autumn sky, low in the south from northern latitudes.
- Fomalhaut is nicknamed 'the Lonely Star' — no other bright stars nearby.
- Extend the line from the Great Square of Pegasus southward to find it.
- Best on autumn evenings from both hemispheres.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- PsA
- Genitive
- Piscis Austrini
- Meaning
- The Southern Fish
- Brightest star
- Fomalhaut
- Main stars
- 4
- Area rank
- 60th
- Best visible
- October
- Declination
- -30°
- Meteor showers
- —
- Neighbours
- Capricornus, Microscopium, Grus, Sculptor, Aquarius
Deep-sky objects
Fomalhaut is surrounded by a prominent debris disc, imaged in detail by Hubble and ALMA — a ring of dust and ice that may be sculpted by an unseen planet. The constellation also contains the faint spiral galaxy NGC 7314.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Piscis Austrinus look like?
Piscis Austrinus is a small southern constellation known as the Southern Fish, dominated by bright Fomalhaut, one of the brightest stars in the sky.
What is the brightest star in Piscis Austrinus?
The brightest star in Piscis Austrinus is Fomalhaut, shining at around magnitude 1.16.
When is Piscis Austrinus best visible?
Piscis Austrinus is best seen from both hemispheres during October.
What is the story behind Piscis Austrinus?
In Greek myth, Piscis Austrinus is the parent of the two fish of Pisces, and is shown drinking the water poured by Aquarius.
Which constellations are near Piscis Austrinus?
Piscis Austrinus borders Capricornus, Microscopium, Grus, Sculptor and Aquarius.
Aquarius
Capricornus