The idea of a bird that is reborn from its own ashes has been known by many civilisations and for millenia. This constellation was recorded in the 17th Century and shows quiet an easily identifiable bird image.

Pheonix lies on a rather baron section of the night sky, the only object viewable by amateurs being NGC 625, an irregular galaxy of 12 magnitude. A large telescope of 10 inches or bigger is required to see this galaxy.