Reticulum

Reticulum is a small southern constellation between the Large Magellanic Cloud and Horologium. Its most notable feature is Zeta Reticuli, a binary of Sun-like stars about 39 light-years away that gained fame from the alleged Betty and Barney Hill star map.

Location in the Sky

When to Observe

Reticulum is best observed during January. It is located in the SQ1 quadrant and is primarily visible from the southern hemisphere. The constellation contains 4 main stars forming its asterism, with 11 Bayer/Flamsteed designated stars in total. Its brightest star is Alpha Reticuli.

Mythology & History

Reticulum was introduced by Isaac Habrecht II in 1621 and revised by Lacaille, who named it Reticulum Rhomboidalis, representing the reticle (crosshairs) in his telescope eyepiece. It gained pop-culture fame from UFO accounts mentioning Zeta Reticuli.