Columba

The Dove

A small southern winter constellation just below Lepus, visible low in the south, with Phact as its brightest star.

Chart drawn as the sky looks when you face the constellation: north is up and east is to the left. Dot size shows brightness, and color hints at temperature. The connecting lines are one common stick figure; other traditions draw them differently.

Best season: Winter
Best months: December through March, low in the south on winter evenings
Visibility: Visible low in the south from most of the United States, best from southern states
Abbreviation: Col

How to find it

Find Lepus below Orion. Columba is the small group of stars just below it, low in the south. Phact is the brightest star there.

Brightest stars

Phact (the brightest star)
Wazn

What to look for

Phact, low on the horizon, a modest star in an empty region.

Using it to find other things

Columba lies below Lepus and Canis Major, near the southern horizon.

About this constellation

Columba is a small winter constellation that stays low from the United States. It is a southern neighbor of Lepus and Canis Major.

Phact is the brightest star in Columba and the best marker for finding it.

Related guides

Visibility depends on your latitude, the date, and the time of night. The months above assume a typical evening from the contiguous United States, so use a planetarium app to confirm what is up tonight. Never look at the Sun through binoculars or a telescope without a proper solar filter.

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