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Reticulum Constellation
Updated : 05/04/2025
Reticulum is a constellation that you can see in the southern hemisphere sky, but it depends on your location and time of the year. There are 88 constellations, of which 44 can be found in the southern hemisphere. The light from the Sun prevents the stars from appearing during the day, so you will need specialised equipment to study them. Reticulum is not a member of the Zodiac group of constellations which are used in astrology to predict peoples immediate futures.
Reticulum is a Latin word; the English meaning/translation is the net. Reticulum's pronunciation is Re-tick-u-lum. The genitive form is Reticuli, which means any object with Reticuli at the end of its name infers a relationship to the constellation. Typically, the thing is within the constellation's boundaries or was once until it (the borders) was redrawn. Reticulum can be shortened or abbreviated to Ret.
Reticulum (Constellation) takes up 113.936 sq. degrees of the night sky, equating to 0.28% of the night sky. Reticulum is the 82nd largest constellation in the night sky. Twelve Extrasolar Planets in the Reticulum constellation are detailed on this site. There is a dedicated page for exoplanets in Reticulum.
Charles Messier didn't catalogue any deep-space objects in the Reticulum constellation. The following constellations border Reticulum:-
Reticulum Stars
Here are a few facts about the stars in the constellation.
- Reticulum has five stars that make up the constellation's shape.
- The Hipparcos satellite scanned and detailed three hundred and twenty-nine stars.
- You can see twenty-three stars within the Reticulum constellation borders with the naked eye on a clear night sky.
Zeta Reticulum
Zeta Reticuli would probably not gather much interest were it not for it being synonymous with alien visitors. In 1961, Barney and Betty Hill allege that they were abducted by aliens from a planet in that star system. Although no planets has so far been discovered, it remained a special place in the hearts of alien hunters.
The star system also features in the Aliens science fiction franchise. The events in the first two (Alien and Aliens) take place in the star system.
Other Major Stars
This is a list of other stars that make up part of the constellation but have been detailed above yet. Other visible stars in the constellation can be found Reticulum Star List page.
| Name | Bayer | Spectral Type | Distance | Exoplanets |
| Beta Reticuli | Beta Reticuli | K0IV SB | 97.39 | |
| Delta Reticuli | Delta Reticuli | M2III | 526.07 | |
| Epsilon Reticuli | Epsilon Reticuli | K2IV | 59.49 | Yes |
| Iota Reticuli | Iota Reticuli | K4III | 319.14 |
Reticulum Mythology
There is no Greek Legend behind this constellation. It was created by Abbé Nicolas Louis de Lacaille to fill in the voids in the astronomical charts in the southern hemisphere. It is supposed to represent the Net, not the Internet.
Zodiac
Reticulum is not a member of the Zodiac group of twelve constellations that appear when the Sun sets. The Zodiac constellations are the ones astrologers use to predict a person's future based on their birth date.
Reticulum Constellation Distance From Earth
You cannot just go to one location and arrive in the Reticulum constellation, and this is because it is made up of stars at different positions and distances. The nearest main star (Epsilon Reticuli) in the constellation is at a distance of 59.49 light-years, and the furthest main star is Delta Reticuli, at a distance of 526.07 light-years. The average distance to the major stars is 232.74 light years. Main stars refer to the stars that make up the constellation outline.
Because of the distances of objects, we see how they looked in the past. To know how far back we are looking, take the amount and remove the word "Light", and you will get an idea of how long ago they looked like that. By now, the object may look different.
Reticulum Constellation Facts
| Name | Reticulum |
| Abbreviation | Ret |
| Zodiac Sign | No |
| Area | 113.936 sq. deg. |
| Night Sky | 0.28% |
| Size Position | 82nd |
| Celestial Hemisphere | South |
| Meteor Shower(s) | 0 |
| Nearest Star | Zeta Reticuli |
| ...with Exoplanet(s) | HD 21693 |
| Brightest Star | Alpha Reticuli |
| Dimmest Star | HD 28413 |
| Furthest Star | HIP 18598 |
| Bright Star Count | 23 |
| Hipp. Star Count | 329 |
| Main Star Count | 5 |
| Messier D.S.O. Count | 0 |
| Lists | Deep Space Objects |
| Exoplanets | |
| Meteor Showers | |
| Stars | |
| Main Stars | Alpha Reticuli |
| Beta Reticuli | |
| Delta Reticuli | |
| Epsilon Reticuli | |
| Iota Reticuli |
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