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Chamaeleon

Chamaeleon

1 9.9
A faint constellation in the southern sky near Apus and Mensa
  • proper noun
  • Specialized
: Chamaeleon
  • Although faint, Chamaeleon contains several interesting star-forming regions.
  • Chamaeleon Cloud

Examples

  • The constellation Chamaeleon is not very bright.

  • Astronomers use Chamaeleon as a guide to locate other nearby constellations such as Mensa and Apus.

  • The constellation Chamaeleon is best observed from the Southern Hemisphere during the autumn months.

  • Have you ever seen Chamaeleon in the night sky?

  • The constellation Chamaeleon is best seen in the southern hemisphere during the winter months.

  • In clear skies, Chamaeleon can be spotted near the constellations Apus and Mensa.

  • Stargazers often admire Chamaeleon for its faint stars and unique shape.

Synonyms

Chameleon
vsChamaeleon
  • Specialized
1 8.7

A faint pattern of stars in the southern sky

is located in the southern polar region rather than the general southern sky

Compounds

Chamaeleo chamaeleon
  • Specialized
9.9

A small lizard that changes color and lives in parts of southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East

genus Chamaeleon
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of chameleon species that share common features

Surface Forms

Chamaeleon main

Etymology

Chamaeleon comes from the old Greek word chamaileon, which means 'ground lion' from chamai 'on the ground' and leon 'lion'. In the 1700s mapmakers gave a small, faint group of southern stars the chameleon animal's name, so the constellation is called Chamaeleon.