constellation in the southern sky
Name
Dorado (the dolphinfish)
Sky
Southern hemisphere
Visibility
Latitudes +20° to −90°
Best viewing
January at 21:00
Right ascension
5h
Declination
−65°
Area
179 square degrees (72nd)
Main stars
3
Designated stars
14 (Bayer/Flamsteed)
Brightest star
Alpha Doradus (3.27 mag)
Alpha Doradus
Blue-white, 176 ly distant
Notable object
Large Magellanic Cloud
LMC distance
179,000 light-years
Tarantula Nebula
30 Doradus, 1,000 ly diameter
Supernova
SN 1987A (closest since telescope)
Origin
Petrus Plancius, 16th century