Columba
The dove flying south of Orion
Best on December–February evenings · southern sky.
Columba the Dove is a modest but charming southern constellation tucked just below Canis Major and Lepus. It sits far enough south that northern observers catch it low on winter evenings, while from the southern hemisphere it rides comfortably high. Its stars are faint but real, and once you know where to look it's a satisfying find.
How to find it
On winter evenings, drop straight south from brilliant Sirius in Canis Major — the brightest star in the night sky, impossible to miss. Continue south past the fainter stars of Lepus and you'll land on Phact, Columba's brightest star. From southern latitudes the Dove climbs well above the horizon; northern observers should pick a clear night and look low in the south.
Brightest stars
Phact (α Col) leads at magnitude 2.64, the only star in Columba bright enough to stand out at a glance. Wazn (β Col) follows at magnitude 3.12, forming a gentle pair with Phact that marks the body of the dove.
Worth seeing
The pairing of Phact and Wazn is the reward here — two reasonably bright stars sitting close together in an otherwise sparse patch of sky, a quiet but satisfying pattern once Sirius has guided you down to them.
Frequently asked
When is Columba visible?
Winter evenings, roughly December through February, when it transits the southern sky. Southern hemisphere observers see it high overhead; northern observers catch it low above the southern horizon on the same winter nights.
What are the brightest stars in Columba?
Phact (α Col) is the brightest at magnitude 2.64, followed by Wazn (β Col) at magnitude 3.12. The third named star, Al Kurud (θ Col), is a faint 5.02 and needs a dark sky to spot.
Which hemisphere is Columba best seen from?
It's a southern constellation, so the southern hemisphere gets the best view with the Dove riding high in the sky. Northern hemisphere observers can still find it in winter, but it stays low above the southern horizon.
Nearby constellations
Canis Major · Puppis · Eridanus · Carina · Orion · Taurus · Gemini · Cetus