88 modern constellations
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Equirectangular plot of declination vs right ascension of the modern constellations with a dotted line denoting the ecliptic. Constellations are colour-coded by family and year established. (detailed view)
In modern astronomy, the sky (celestial sphere) is divided into 88 regions called constellations, generally based on the asterisms (which are also called "constellations") of Greek and Roman mythology. Those along the ecliptic are the constellations of the zodiac.
The ancient Sumerians, and later the Greeks (as recorded by Ptolemy), established most of the northern constellations in international use today. When explorers mapped the stars of the southern skies, European and American astronomers proposed new constellations for that region, as well as ones to fill gaps between the traditional constellations. Not all of these proposals caught on, but in 1922, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) adopted the modern list of 88 constellations.[1] After this, Eugène Joseph Delporte drew up precise boundaries for each constellation,[1] so that every point in the sky belonged to exactly one constellation.
History
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Some constellations are no longer recognized by the International Astronomical Union, but may appear in older star charts and other references. Most notable is Argo Navis, which was one of Ptolemy's original 48 constellations.
Modern constellations
The 88 constellations depict 42 animals, 29 inanimate objects and 17 humans or mythological characters. For help with the literary English pronunciations, see the pronunciation key. There is considerable diversity in how Latinate names are pronounced in English. For traditions closer to the original, see Latin spelling and pronunciation.
| Constellation | IAU abbreviation[1] | Other abbreviation[2] | Genitive | Family | Origin | Meaning | Brightest star |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda /ænˈdrɒmɨdə/[3] |
And | Andr | Andromedae /ænˈdrɒmɨdiː/ |
Perseus | ancient (Ptolemy) | Andromeda (The chained lady or the Princess) | Alpheratz |
| Antlia /ˈæntliə/[3] |
Ant | Antl | Antliae /ˈæntli.iː/ |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | air pump | α Antliae |
| Apus /ˈeɪpəs/[4] |
Aps | Apus | Apodis /ˈæpɵdɨs/[4] |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | Bird-of-paradise/Exotic Bird/Extraordinary Bird | α Apodis |
| Aquarius /əˈkwɛəriəs/[3] |
Aqr | Aqar | Aquarii /əˈkwɛəriaɪ/ |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | water-bearer | Sadalsuud |
| Aquila /ˈækwɨlə/[3] |
Aql | Aqil | Aquilae /ˈækwɨliː/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | eagle | Altair |
| Ara /ˈɛərə/[4] |
Ara | Arae | Arae /ˈɛəriː/[4] |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | altar | β Arae |
| Aries /ˈɛəriːz/, /ˈɛərɪ.iːz/[3][4] |
Ari | Arie | Arietis /əˈraɪ.ɨtɨs/[4] |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | ram | Hamal |
| Auriga /ɔːˈraɪɡə/[3][4] |
Aur | Auri | Aurigae /ɔːˈraɪdʒiː/[4] |
Perseus | ancient (Ptolemy) | charioteer | Capella |
| Boötes /boʊˈoʊtiːz/[3] |
Boo | Boot | Boötis /boʊˈoʊtɨs/ |
Ursa Major | ancient (Ptolemy) | herdsman | Arcturus |
| Caelum /ˈsiːləm/[4] |
Cae | Cael | Caeli /ˈsiːlaɪ/[4] |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | chisel or graving tool | α Caeli |
| Camelopardalis /kəˌmɛlɵˈpɑrdəlɨs/[4] |
Cam | Caml | Camelopardalis / kəˌmɛlɵˈpɑrdəlɨs/[4] |
Ursa Major | 1613, Plancius[5] | giraffe | β Camelopardalis |
| Cancer /ˈkænsər/[3] |
Cnc | Canc | Cancri /ˈkæŋkraɪ/ |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | crab | Tarf |
| Canes Venatici /ˈkeɪniːz vɨˈnætɨsaɪ/[4] |
CVn | CVen | Canum Venaticorum /ˈkeɪnəm vɨnætɨˈkɒrəm/ |
Ursa Major | 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius | hunting dogs | Cor Caroli |
| Canis Major /ˈkeɪnɨs ˈmeɪdʒər/[4] |
CMa | CMaj | Canis Majoris /ˈkeɪnɨs məˈdʒɒrɨs/ |
Orion | ancient (Ptolemy) | greater dog | Sirius |
| Canis Minor /ˈkeɪnɨs ˈmaɪnər/[4] |
CMi | CMin | Canis Minoris /ˈkeɪnɨs mɨˈnɒrɨs/ |
Orion | ancient (Ptolemy) | lesser dog | Procyon |
| Capricornus /ˌkæprɨˈkɔrnəs/[4] |
Cap | Capr | Capricorni /ˌkæprɨˈkɔrnaɪ/[4] |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | sea goat | Deneb Algiedi |
| Carina /kəˈraɪnə/[3] |
Car | Cari | Carinae /kəˈraɪniː/ |
Heavenly Waters | 1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis | keel | Canopus |
| Cassiopeia /ˌkæsi.ɵˈpiːə/[3][4] |
Cas | Cass | Cassiopeiae /ˌkæsi.ɵˈpiː.iː/[4] |
Perseus | ancient (Ptolemy) | Cassiopeia (mythological character) | Shedir |
| Centaurus /sɛnˈtɔrəs/[3] |
Cen | Cent | Centauri /sɛnˈtɔraɪ/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | centaur | Alpha Centauri |
| Cepheus /ˈsiːfiəs/, /ˈsiːfjuːs/[4] |
Cep | Ceph | Cephei /ˈsiːfiaɪ/[4] |
Perseus | ancient (Ptolemy) | Cepheus (mythological character) | Alderamin |
| Cetus /ˈsiːtəs/[4] |
Cet | Ceti | Ceti /ˈsiːtaɪ/[4] |
Perseus | ancient (Ptolemy) | sea monster (later interpreted as a whale) | Deneb Kaitos |
| Chamaeleon /kəˈmiːliən/[3] |
Cha | Cham | Chamaeleontis /kəˌmiːliˈɒntɨs/ |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | chameleon | α Chamaeleontis |
| Circinus /ˈsɜrsɨnəs/[3] |
Cir | Circ | Circini /ˈsɜrsɨnaɪ/ |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | compass (drawing tool) | α Circini |
| Columba /kɵˈlʌmbə/[3] |
Col | Colm | Columbae /kɵˈlʌmbiː/ |
Heavenly Waters | 1592, Plancius, split from Canis Major | dove | Phact |
| Coma Berenices /ˈkoʊmə bɛrəˈnaɪsiːz/[4] |
Com | Coma | Comae Berenices /ˈkoʊmiː bɛrəˈnaɪsiːz/[4] |
Ursa Major | 1603, Uranometria, split from Leo | Berenice's hair | β Comae Berenices |
| Corona Australis[6] /kɵˈroʊnə ʔɔːˈstrælɨs/, /kɵˈroʊnə ʔɔːˈstreɪlɨs/[3][4] |
CrA | CorA | Coronae Australis /kɵˈroʊniː ʔɔːˈstrælɨs/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | southern crown | Alphekka Meridiana |
| Corona Borealis /kɵˈroʊnə ˌbɔəriˈælɨs/, /kɒˈroʊnə bɔəriˈeɪlɨs/[3][4] |
CrB | CorB | Coronae Borealis /kɵˈroʊniː bɔəriˈælɨs/ |
Ursa Major | ancient (Ptolemy) | northern crown | Alphecca |
| Corvus /ˈkɔrvəs/[3] |
Crv | Corv | Corvi /ˈkɔrvaɪ/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | crow | Gienah |
| Crater /ˈkreɪtər/[3] |
Crt | Crat | Crateris /krəˈtɪərɨs/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | cup | Labrum |
| Crux /ˈkrʌks/[3] |
Cru | Cruc | Crucis /ˈkruːsɨs/ |
Hercules | 1603, Uranometria, split from Centaurus | southern cross | Acrux |
| Cygnus /ˈsɪɡnəs/[3] |
Cyg | Cygn | Cygni /ˈsɪɡnaɪ/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | swan or Northern Cross | Deneb |
| Delphinus /dɛlˈfaɪnəs/[3] |
Del | Dlph | Delphini /dɛlˈfaɪnaɪ/ |
Heavenly Waters | ancient (Ptolemy) | dolphin | Rotanev |
| Dorado /dəˈrɑːdəʊ/[7] |
Dor | Dora | Doradus /dɵˈreɪdəs/ |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | goldfish | α Doradus |
| Draco /ˈdreɪkoʊ/[4] |
Dra | Drac | Draconis /drəˈkoʊnɨs/[4] |
Ursa Major | ancient (Ptolemy) | dragon | Etamin |
| Equuleus /ɨˈkwuːliəs/[4] |
Equ | Equl | Equulei /ɨˈkwuːliaɪ/[4] |
Heavenly Waters | ancient (Ptolemy) | pony | Kitalpha |
| Eridanus /ɨˈrɪdənəs/[4] |
Eri | Erid | Eridani /ɨˈrɪdənaɪ/[4] |
Heavenly Waters | ancient (Ptolemy) | river Eridanus (mythology) | Achernar |
| Fornax /ˈfɔrnæks/ |
For | Forn | Fornacis /fɔrˈneɪsɨs/ |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | chemical furnace | Fornacis |
| Gemini /ˈdʒɛmɨnaɪ/[3] |
Gem | Gemi | Geminorum /ˌdʒɛmɨˈnɒrəm/ |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | twins | Pollux |
| Grus /ˈɡrʌs/[4] |
Gru | Grus | Gruis /ˈɡruː.ɨs/[4] |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | Crane | Alnair |
| Hercules /ˈhɜrkj |
Her | Herc | Herculis /ˈhɜrkj |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | Hercules (mythological character) | Kornephoros |
| Horologium /ˌhɒrəˈlɒdʒiəm/, /ˌhɒrəˈloʊdʒiəm/[3][4] |
Hor | Horo | Horologii /ˌhɒrəˈloʊdʒiaɪ/ |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | pendulum clock | α Horologii |
| Hydra /ˈhaɪdrə/[3] |
Hya | Hyda | Hydrae /ˈhaɪdriː/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | Hydra (mythological creature) | Alphard |
| Hydrus /ˈhaɪdrəs/[3] |
Hyi | Hydi | Hydri /ˈhaɪdraɪ/ |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | lesser water snake | β Hydri |
| Indus /ˈɪndəs/[3] |
Ind | Indi | Indi /ˈɪndaɪ/ |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | Indian (American indigenous) | The Persian |
| Lacerta /ləˈsɜrtə/[3] |
Lac | Lacr | Lacertae /ləˈsɜrtiː/ |
Perseus | 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius | lizard | α Lacertae |
| Leo /ˈliː.oʊ/[3] |
Leo | Leon | Leonis /liːˈoʊnɨs/ |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | lion | Regulus |
| Leo Minor /ˈliː.oʊ ˈmaɪnər/[3] |
LMi | LMin | Leonis Minoris /liːˈoʊnɨs mɨˈnɒrɨs/ |
Ursa Major | 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius | lesser lion | Praecipua |
| Lepus /ˈliːpəs/[4] |
Lep | Leps | Leporis /ˈlɛpərɨs/[3][4] |
Orion | ancient (Ptolemy) | hare | Arneb |
| Libra /ˈlaɪbrə/, /ˈliːbrə/[3] |
Lib | Libr | Librae /ˈlaɪbriː/ |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | balance | Zubeneshamali |
| Lupus /ˈljuːpəs/[3] |
Lup | Lupi | Lupi /ˈljuːpaɪ/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | wolf | Men |
| Lynx /ˈlɪŋks/[3] |
Lyn | Lync | Lyncis /ˈlɪnsɨs/ |
Ursa Major | 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius | lynx | Elvashak |
| Lyra /ˈlaɪrə/[3] |
Lyr | Lyra | Lyrae /ˈlaɪriː/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | lyre / harp | Vega |
| Mensa /ˈmɛnsə/[3] |
Men | Mens | Mensae /ˈmɛnsiː/ |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | Table Mountain (South Africa) | α Mensae |
| Microscopium /ˌmaɪkrɵˈskoʊpiəm/ |
Mic | Micr | Microscopii /ˌmaɪkrɵˈskoʊpiaɪ/ |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | microscope | γ Microscopii |
| Monoceros /məˈnɒsɨrəs/[3][4] |
Mon | Mono | Monocerotis /ˌmɒnɵsɨˈroʊtɨs/ |
Orion | 1613, Plancius | unicorn | β Monocerotis |
| Musca /ˈmʌskə/[4] |
Mus | Musc | Muscae /ˈmʌsiː/[3][4] |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | fly | α Muscae |
| Norma /ˈnɔrmə/[3] |
Nor | Norm | Normae /ˈnɔrmiː/[3] |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | carpenter's level | γ2 Normae |
| Octans /ˈɒktænz/[4] |
Oct | Octn | Octantis /ɒkˈtæntɨs/[4] |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | octant (instrument) | ν Oct |
| Ophiuchus /ˌɒfiˈjuːkəs/[3] |
Oph | Ophi | Ophiuchi /ˌɒfiˈjuːkaɪ/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | serpent-bearer | Ras Alhague |
| Orion /ɵˈraɪ.ən/[3] |
Ori | Orio | Orionis /ɵˈraɪ.ənɨs/, /ˌɒriˈoʊnɨs/[4] |
Orion | ancient (Ptolemy) | Orion (mythological character) | Rigel |
| Pavo /ˈpeɪvoʊ/[3][4] |
Pav | Pavo | Pavonis /pəˈvoʊnɨs/[4] |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | peacock | Peacock |
| Pegasus /ˈpɛɡəsəs/[3] |
Peg | Pegs | Pegasi /ˈpɛɡəsaɪ/ |
Perseus | ancient (Ptolemy) | Pegasus (mythological winged horse) | Enif |
| Perseus /ˈpɜrsiəs, ˈpɜrsjuːs/[4] |
Per | Pers | Persei /ˈpɜrsi.aɪ/[4] |
Perseus | ancient (Ptolemy) | Perseus (mythological character) | Mirfak |
| Phoenix /ˈfiːnɨks/[3] |
Phe | Phoe | Phoenicis /fɨˈnaɪsɨs/ |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | phoenix | Ankaa |
| Pictor /ˈpɪktər/[4] |
Pic | Pict | Pictoris /pɪkˈtɔərɨs/[4] |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | easel | α Pictoris |
| Pisces /ˈpaɪsiːz/, /ˈpɪsiːz/[3][4] |
Psc | Pisc | Piscium /ˈpɪʃiəm/[4] |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | fishes | Alpherg |
| Piscis Austrinus /ˈpaɪsɨs ɔːˈstraɪnəs/ |
PsA | PscA | Piscis Austrini /ˈpaɪsɨs ɔːˈstraɪnaɪ/ |
Heavenly Waters | ancient (Ptolemy) | southern fish | Fomalhaut |
| Puppis /ˈpʌpɨs/[4] |
Pup | Pupp | Puppis /ˈpʌpɨs/[4] |
Heavenly Waters | 1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis | poop deck | Naos |
| Pyxis /ˈpɪksɨs/[3] |
Pyx | Pyxi | Pyxidis /ˈpɪksɨdɨs/ |
Heavenly Waters | 1763, Lacaille | mariner's compass | α Pyxidis |
| Reticulum /rɨˈtɪkjʊləm/[3] |
Ret | Reti | Reticuli /rɨˈtɪkjʊlaɪ/ |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | eyepiece graticule | α Reticuli |
| Sagitta /səˈdʒɪtə/[3] |
Sge | Sgte | Sagittae /səˈdʒɪtiː/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | arrow | γ Sagittae |
| Sagittarius /sædʒɨˈtɛəriəs/[3] |
Sgr | Sgtr | Sagittarii /ˌsædʒəˈtɛəriaɪ/ |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | archer | Kaus Australis |
| Scorpius /ˈskɔrpiəs/[3] |
Sco | Scor | Scorpii /ˈskɔrpiaɪ/ |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | scorpion | Antares |
| Sculptor /ˈskʌlptər/[3] |
Scl | Scul | Sculptoris /skəlpˈtɒrɨs/ |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | sculptor | α Sculptoris |
| Scutum /ˈskjuːtəm/[3] |
Sct | Scut | Scuti /ˈskjuːtaɪ/ |
Hercules | 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius | shield (of Sobieski) | α Scuti |
| Serpens[8] /ˈsɜrpɛnz/ |
Ser | Serp | Serpentis /sərˈpɛntɨs/ |
Hercules | ancient (Ptolemy) | snake | Unukalhai |
| Sextans /ˈsɛkstənz/[4] |
Sex | Sext | Sextantis /sɛksˈtæntɨs/[4] |
Hercules | 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius | sextant | α Sextantis |
| Taurus /ˈtɔrəs/[3] |
Tau | Taur | Tauri /ˈtɔraɪ/ |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | bull | Aldebaran |
| Telescopium /ˌtɛlɨˈskɒpiəm/ |
Tel | Tele | Telescopii /ˌtɛlɨˈskɒpiaɪ/ |
La Caille | 1763, Lacaille | telescope | α Telescopii |
| Triangulum /traɪˈæŋɡjʊləm/ |
Tri | Tria | Trianguli /traɪˈæŋɡjʊlaɪ/ |
Perseus | ancient (Ptolemy) | triangle | β Trianguli |
| Triangulum Australe /traɪˈæŋɡjʊləm ɔːˈstræliː/, /traɪˈæŋɡjʊləm ɔːˈstreɪliː/ |
TrA | TrAu | Trianguli Australis /traɪˈæŋɡjʊlaɪ ʔɔːˈstrælɨs/ |
Hercules | 1603 Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | southern triangle | Atria |
| Tucana /tj |
Tuc | Tucn | Tucanae /tj |
Bayer | 1603 Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | toucan | α Tucanae |
| Ursa Major /ˌɜrsə ˈmeɪdʒər/[3] |
UMa | UMaj | Ursae Majoris /ˌɜrsiː məˈdʒɒrɨs/ |
Ursa Major | ancient (Ptolemy) | great bear | Alioth |
| Ursa Minor /ˌɜrsə ˈmaɪnər/[3] |
UMi | UMin | Ursae Minoris /ˌɜrsiː mɨˈnɒrɨs/ |
Ursa Major | ancient (Ptolemy) | lesser bear | Polaris |
| Vela /ˈviːlə/[3] |
Vel | Velr | Velorum /vɨˈlɔərəm/ |
Heavenly Waters | 1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis | sails | Regor |
| Virgo /ˈvɜrɡoʊ/[3] |
Vir | Virg | Virginis /ˈvɜrdʒɨnɨs/ |
Zodiac | ancient (Ptolemy) | virgin or maiden | Spica |
| Volans /ˈvoʊlænz/[4] |
Vol | Voln | Volantis /vɵˈlæntɨs/[4] |
Bayer | 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman | flying fish | β Volantis |
| Vulpecula /vʌlˈpɛkjʊlə/[3] |
Vul | Vulp | Vulpeculae /vʌlˈpɛkjʊliː/ |
Hercules | 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius | fox | Anser |
Asterisms
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Various other unofficial patterns have existed alongside the constellations. These are known as "asterisms." Examples include the Big Dipper/Plough and the Northern Cross. Some ancient asterisms, for example Coma Berenices, Serpens, and portions of Argo Navis, are now officially constellations.
See also
 |
- List of constellations by area
- List of constellations in different languages
- Biblical names of stars
- Lists of stars by constellation
- Constellation family
- Galactic quadrant
- Zodiac
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ NASA Dictionary of terms for Aerospace Use - table V, Constellations
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 3.35 3.36 3.37 3.38 3.39 3.40 3.41 3.42 3.43 3.44 3.45 3.46 3.47 3.48 3.49 3.50 3.51 3.52 3.53 3.54 3.55 3.56 3.57 OED, 2nd edition
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 4.35 4.36 4.37 4.38 4.39 4.40 4.41 4.42 4.43 4.44 4.45 4.46 4.47 4.48 4.49 4.50 4.51 4.52 4.53 4.54 4.55 4.56 4.57 4.58 Random House Dictionary
- ↑ The constellations Camelopardalis, Columba, and Monoceros, formed by Petrus Plancius in 1592 and in 1613, are often erroneously attributed to Jacob Bartsch and Augustin Royer
- ↑ Corona Australis is sometimes called "Corona Austrina" /ɔːˈstriːnə/ (genitive: Coronae Austrinae)
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Serpens may be divided into Serpens Cauda (serpent's tail) and Serpens Caput (serpent's head)
