Pyxis

WHAT IS PYXIS? | PYXIS

 

We are often asked about our name.

 

Pyxis is a small constellation in the southern sky with approximately 12 visible stars. The name pyxis is Latin for the mariner's compass.

 

Pyxis is located at RA 9 h and Declination -30deg and completely visible in latitudes south of 53N from January through March.

 

The principal star of Pyxis is Alpha Pyx or Alpha Pyxidis (HD 72673). Alpha Pyx is young being born just 18 million years ago. It is a hot, blue-white class B (B1.5) giant with an impressive surface temperature of 22,900 Kelvin. Although nearly 18,000 times hotter than our sun and with a diameter 8 times larger its distance from our solar system at 845 light years away, means that it is not nearly as impressive seen by us from earth. With an apparent magnitude of 3.675, Alpha Pyx is visible to the naked eye without the need for a telescope appearing brighter than Uranus but not as bright as Saturn.

 

Alpha Pyx is also known as Al Sumut, which is from Arabic meaning "the ways" or "the compass bearings". The Latinised or English name for Al Sumut is 'azimuth' meaning direction, referring to the ways or directions a person faces.

 

Why choose PYXIS as a name?

 

Just as the pyxis constellation is visible from the southern hemisphere pyxis.co.nz is located 40S in New Zealand within the great southern Pacific Ocean. Just as the mariner's compass assisted the ancient mariners to effect the safe and efficient travel to their destination, we at pyxis.co.nz assist organisations to provide focus and direction to achieve their goals.

 

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Pyxis constellation Hubble Space Telescope 25 September 1997 Courtesy: NASA