Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Tucana Origin:
One of the constellations in the southern sky, formally introduced by Johann Bayer in Uranometria in 1603. Its origins date back several years earlier and is attributed to the Dutch navigator P.D. Keyser. Tucana commemorates the exotic bird, the Toucan, which had been only recently discovered in South America. Two other exotic birds grace the south celestial polar region; Pavo (the Peacock) and Apus (Bird of Paradise). Information:
Tucana is a small inconspicuous constellation not visible by observers north of 30° N lat. Tucana contains a spectacular globular cluster and several excellent double stars. The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is near the southeast border between Tucana and Hydrus. Locating the SMC helps to locate the faint Toucan. | 