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Microscopium is a small constellation bordered by [[Capricornus]] to the north,[[Piscis Austrinus]] and [[Grus]] to the west, [[Sagittarius]] to the east, [[Indus]] to the south, and touching on Telescopium to the southeast. | Microscopium is a small constellation bordered by [[Capricornus]] to the north,[[Piscis Austrinus]] and [[Grus]] to the west, [[Sagittarius]] to the east, [[Indus]] to the south, and touching on Telescopium to the southeast. | ||
The stars that now comprise Microscopium may formerly have belonged to the hind feet of Sagittarius. | The stars that now comprise Microscopium may formerly have belonged to the hind feet of [[Sagittarius]]. However, this is uncertain as, while its stars seem to be referred to by Al-Sufi as having been seen by Ptolemy, Al-Sufi does not specify their exact positions. | ||
Its name is Latin for microscope; it was invented by Lacaille to commemorate the compound microscope. | Its name is Latin for microscope; it was invented by Lacaille to commemorate the compound microscope. Its stars are very faint and hardly visible from most of the non-tropical northern hemisphere.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microscopium Microscpium]</ref> | ||