Octans is a winter constellation of the Southern Hemisphere, circumpolar but highest in the skies in July and August. The constellation contains the South Pole Star, sigma Octantis. To find the South Pole, first find alpha and beta Kentaurus (bright stars near the Southern Cross). Draw a perpendicular midway between these two stars. Then proceed to the Southern Cross, extending the major axis (beta--alpha line) through the skies, until it intercepts the first line you drew. Where these lines meet you will find - in the same general region at least - the South Pole.
Alpha Octantis isn't the brightest star in this faint constellation. In the same field is nu Octantis, which holds that honour. Even so, nu is only a 3.7 magnitude star, while alpha is but 5.1. To find alpha (and nu) first find the brightest star in this region, beta Hydri, which is just south of the Small Magellanic Cloud in Tucana. From beta Hydri move slightly south to capture beta Octantis in the same field.
Sigma Octantis marks the Celestial South Pole, as this 5.5 magnitude star is about one degree from the pole and moving slowly farther away. A century ago the star was only 45' from the pole (three-quarters of a degree); this distance is now just over one full degree: 1º 3'. From alpha Octantis move south three binocular FOVs. You'll find a series of stars which form a hook-like asterism; sigma is in the middle of this asterism.
