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The 88 Constellations:
The 12 Constellations of
the Zodiac
The zodiac is a band of 12 constellations along the
ecliptic.
Aquarius, the water bearer
Aries, the ram
Cancer, the crab
Capricorn, the goat
Gemini, the twins
Leo, the lion
Libra, the scales
Pisces, the fish
Sagittarius, the archer
Scorpius, the scorpion
Taurus, the bull
Virgo, the virgin
The Constellations of the
Southern Hemisphere (some are
seasonally visible in the Northern
Hemisphere):
Apus, the bird of paradise
Ara, the altar
Carina, the ship's keel
Centauras, the centaur
Chamaeleon, the chameleon
Circinus, the compass
Crux, the southern cross
Dorado, the swordfish
Eridanus, the river
Grus, the crane
Hydrus, the water snake
Indus, the Indian
Lepus, the rabbit
Mensa, the table
Musca, the fly
Norma, the surveyor's level
Octans, the octant
Pavo, the peacock
The Constellations of the
Northern Hemisphere (some are
seasonally visible in the Southern
Hemisphere):
Andromeda, the princess
Antlia, the pump
Aquila, the eagle
Auriga, the chariot driver
Bootes, the herdsman
Caelum, the chisel
Camelopardalis, the giraffe
Canes Venatici, the hunting dogs
Canis Major, the big dog
Canis Minor, the little dog
Cassiopeia, the queen
Cepheus, the king
Cetus, the whale
Columba, the dove
Coma Berenices, Berenice's hair
Corona Australis, the southern crown
Corona Borealis, the northern crown
Corvus, the crow
Crater, the cup
Cygnus, the swan
Delphinus, the dolphin
Draco, the dragon
Equuleus, the little horse
Fornax, the furnace
Hercules, the hero
Horologium, the clock
Hydra, the water snake
Lacerta, the lizard
Leo Minor, the little lion
Lupus, the wolf
Lynx, the lynx
Lyra, the harp
Microscopium, the microscope
Monoceros, the unicorn
Ophiuchus, the sepent holder
Orion, the hunter
Pegasus, the flying horse
Phoenix, the phoenix
Pictor, the easel
Reticulum, the net
Triangulum Australe, the southern triangle
Tucana, the toucan
Vela, the ship's sails
Volans, the flying fish
Perseus, the Medusa killer
Pisces Austrinus, the southern fish
Puppis, the ship's stern
Pyxis, the ship's compass
Sagitta, the arrow
Sculptor, the sculptor
Scutum, the shield
Serpens, the snake
Sextans, the sextant
Telescopium, the telescope
Triangulum, the triangle
Ursa Major, the big bear
Ursa Minor, the little bear
Vulpecula, the little fox
CONSTELLATION FAMILY
There are many families of constellations, constellations that are either close to one another in our view of the
sky or have some other relationship (for example, depicting figures from a particular ancient myth). Some
constellation families include:
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the Zodiac: 12 constellations are star groupings that lie along the ecliptic (the plane in which most of our
Solar System lies). Usually, 12 constellations are listed in the Zodiac, but there is actually a thirteenth
constellation that crosses the ecliptic, Ophiuchus (between Scorpio and Sagittarius). The signs of the
Zodiac are Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius,
Sagittarius.
the Ursa Major Family: 10 constellations circling the northern celestial pole, including Ursa Major
(containing the Big Dipper), Ursa Minor (containing Polaris, the northern pole star), Canes Venatici,
Boötes, Coma Berenice, Corona Borealis, Camelopardalis, Lynx, Draco, and Leo Minor.
the Perseus Family: 9 constellations depicting figures from the myth of Perseus, including Cassiopeia,
Cepheus, Andromeda, Perseus, Pegasus, Cetus, Auriga, Lacerta, Triangulum.
the Hercules Family: 19 constellations depicting figures from the myth of Heracles, including Hercules,
Sagitta, Aquila, Lyra, Cygnus, Vulpecula, Hydra, Sextans, Crater, Corvus, Ophiuchus, Serpens, Scutum,
Centaurus, Lupus, Corona Australis, Ara, Triangulum Australe, Crux.
the Orion Family: 5 constellations, including Orion (the hunter), Canis Major and Canis Minor (Orion's
two gods), Monoceros (the unicorn), Lepus (the hare).
the Heavenly Waters (aka the Cosmic Waters): 9 constellations whose names are related to water,
including Delphinus, Columba, Equuleus, Vela, Puppis, Eridanus, Piscis Austrinus, Carina, Pyxis,
the Bayer Group: 11 Southern Hemisphere constellations depicting animals, named by Johann Bayer in
1603. Includes Hydrus, Dorado, Volans, Apus, Pavo, Grus, Phoenix, Tucana, Indus, Chamaeleon,
Musca.
the La Caille Family: 13 Southern Hemisphere constellations, named by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in
1756. Includes Norma, Fornax, Circinus, Telescopium, Microscopium, Sculptor, Caelum, Horologium,
Antlia, Pictor, Reticulum, Octans, Mensa.
Some Constellations:
ANDROMEDA
AQUARIUS
[Abbreviation: Aqr] Aquarius (the water bearer) is a
Andromeda (the princess, the daughter of
constellation of the zodiac. This faint constellation is seen
Cassiopeia) is a northern hemisphere
constellation. Alpha Andromeda (called Sirrah, along the ecliptic. The sun passes through Aquarius from midFebruary until mid-March. There are many interesting
meaning "Horse's navel") is the same as Delta
celestial objects in this large constellation, including globular
Pegasi (from the constellation Pegasus).
clusters (M2 and M72), planetary nebulae (NGC 7009 and
NGC 7293), the star group M73, a double star (zeta Aqr).
Aquarius is the radiant for the meteor showers: March
Aquarids, Delta Aquarids, Eta Aquarids, and Iota Aquarids.
Alpha Aquarii (the brightest star in Aquarius) is called
Sadalmelik (meaning the Lucky One of the King) and beta
Aquarii (the second-brightest star in Aquarius) is named
Sadalsuud (meaning the Luckiest of the Lucky); they are twin
supergiants.
ARIES
[Abbreviation: Ari] Aries (the ram) is a constellation of
the zodiac located along the ecliptic between Pisces and
Taurus. This tiny, faint constellation is seen just north of
the ecliptic. The brightest star in Aries (Alpha Ari) is
Hamal, the second-brightest star (Beta Ari) is Sharatan, the
third-brightest star (Gamma 2 Ari) is Mesarthim, and the
fourth-brightest is Botein (Delta Ari)
BIG DIPPER
The Big Dipper is a group of 7 stars (it is an
asterism and not a constellation) contained in the
Northern Hemisphere constellation Ursa
major (The Great Bear).
BOÖTES
CANCER
[Abbreviation: Cnc] Cancer (the crab) is a very faint constellation
Boötes (the herdsman) is a large
of the zodiac that is shaped like a crab. Cancer is seen along
constellation in the northern hemisphere.
The brightest star in Boötes is Arcturus, a the ecliptic and is located between Leo and Gemini. At the center of
the crab's shell is a huge open cluster, the Beehive cluster, also
red giant that is the fourth brightest star in
known as Praesepe (M44). The open cluster M67 is nearby. The
the sky.
brightest star in Cancer is Acubens (meaning claw); the secondbrightest is Al Tarf (meaning tip).
CANIS VENATICI
Canes Venatici (The Two Hunting Dogs or greyhounds [of the
herdman Boötes]) is a small Northern
Canis major (The Great Dog) is a constellation Hemisphere constellation near Ursa Major and Boötes. The
near Orion. The brightest star in Canis Major
brightest star in Canis Venatici is Cor Caroli (alpha CVn), a
(and the brightest star in the sky) is Sirius, also
blue-white star (magnitude 2.9) with a companion star
known as the dog star. Canis Major is one of the (magnitude 5). The Whirlpool Nebula (M51), the Sab galaxy
constellation Orion's hunting dogs (together
(M94) and the globular cluster M3 (magnitude 6) can be
with Canis Minor).
found in Canis Venatici. The Canes Venaticids meteor
shower occurs from January 13 - January 30. Canes Venatici
was named by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius in
1690.
CANIS MAJOR
CASSIOPEIA
Cassiopeia is an easily-seen constellation that is in the
far northern sky. It circles the pole star (Polaris)
throughout the year and also straddles the Milky Way.
The five major stars of Cassiopeia (also known as "The
Lady of the Chair") are shaped like a "W" (or an "M,"
depending on your orientation). All of the stars in
Cassiopeia are all less than second magnitude
brightness. The brightest star in Cassiopeia is Schedar
CAPRICORNUS
(alpha CAS), which is a multiple star that is pale rose
[Abbreviation: Cap] Capricornus (the goat) is a
in color and varies in magnitude from 2.2 to 2.8
constellation of thezodiac. Capricorn is seen along
magnitudes.
The second-brightest, called Caph (beta
theecliptic between Sagittarius and Aquarius. The
CAS), is a white star of magnitude 2.4. Cassiopeia
brightest stars in Capricornus are Prima Giedi (Alpha 1
contains
two open clusters, M52 (magnitude 7.3) and
Cap) and Secunda Giedi (Alpha 2 Cap). The globular
M103
(magnitude
7.4). The strongest radio source,
cluster M30 is in Capricorn.
Cassiopeia A, emanates from Cassiopeia; it is the
remnant of a supernova which ocurred about A.D.
1660, and is 10,000 light years from us. The
constellation Cassiopeia was named for Cassiopeia, the
mother of Andromeda (and the wife of Cephus) in
Greek mythology.
CEPHEUS
CETUS
Cepheus is a house-shaped constellation in the
Northern Hemisphere. It is a circumpolar
constellation; it never dips under the horizon in the
Cetus is a constellation that straddles the celestial
equator. Cetus means whale, and is abbreviated Cet. The
first-known variable star Mira, is Omicron Ceti.
Northern hemisphere. Errai (Gamma Cephei) is a
third-magnitude orange subgiant star that will become
the Earth's north polar star in 2,000 years. Cepheus is
next to the constellations Andromedaand Perseus.
Cepheus was named after King Cepheus in Greek
mythology, and is abbreviated Cep.
COLUMBA
CRUX
Crux (or Crux Australis) is the scientific name of the
Columba (the dove, abbreviated Col) is a small
Southern
Crossconstellation. This well-known, crossconstellation in the Southern Hemisphere. This
shaped Southern Hemisphere constellation is on the
constellation pictures a dove holding an olive
Australian
flag. The brightest star in Crux is Acrux (alpha
branch in its mouth. Columba is a member of the
Cru), a double-star system at the base of the cross. The
"Heavenly Waters," a family of constellations.
second-brightest
star is Becrux or Mimosa (Beta Cru); the
Columba was named by the astronomer Bayer, but
third-brightest is Gacrux (Gamma Cru). The Jewel
was populatized by the
Box
(also known as Kappa Crucis) is an open cluster of
French astronomer Augustin Royer in 1679
about
100 stars in the Southern Cross. Crux lies on the
(before that, Colmba's stars have been included in
Milky Way and is surrounded by the constellation
the constellation Canis Major). Alpha Col (the
Centaurus on three sides.
brightest star in Columba) is called Phaet; beta Col
(the second-brightest star in Columba) is called
Wezn. The globular cluster NGC 1851 and the
blue magnitude 5 star (mu Col, a "runaway star")
are in Columba.
DRACO
CYGNUS
Cygnus (the swan) is a constellation that is
shaped like a large cross. It is also known as
the Northern Cross. It is seen along the Milky
Way in the northern hemisphere. At its tail is
the very bright star Deneb (alpha Cygni), and
at its head is the double star Albireo (beta
Cygni).
Draco (from the dragon in Greek mythology) is a constellation in
the Northern Hemisphere. It is theradiant of the Quadrantids and
Draconids (meteor showers). Draco is near the northern celestial
pole; the tail of Draco is between the Big Dipper and the Little
Dipper. The brightest star in the Draco is Thuban; it is located in
the dragon's tail. (Thuban means "dragon or serpent" in Arabic.
Thuban was the Earth's pole star about 5,000 years ago.) The
second-brightest star in the Draco is Rastaban (which means
"head of the dragon or serpent").
GEMINI
[Abbreviation: Gem] Gemini (also known as "The Twins") is one of the constellations of the zodiac, located
along the ecliptic between Taurus and Cancer. The brightest stars in Gemini are Castor (a sextuple star - three
double stars) and Pollux (a 1st magnitude yellow star). The open cluster M35 is located in Gemini. The
Geminid meteor showerseems to radiate from Gemini.
HERCULES
Hercules is a Northern Hemisphere
LEO
constellation that is the fifth largest in the
[Abbreviation:
Leo]
Leo
(the lion) is a constellation of
sky. It is named for Hercules, the legendary
hero of Greek mythology. The brightest of its the zodiac that is shaped like a lion. Leo is seen along the Milky
Way in the Northern Hemisphere along the ecliptic between
rather dim stars is Ras Algethi (alpha Her), a
Virgo and Cancer. The brightest star (Alpha Leo) in Leo is
variable red supergiant. The four stars of the
Regulus (meaning "little king"). The second-brightest star (Beta
central trapezoid within Hercules, epsilon
Leo) is Denebola (meaning "tail of the lion"), and the thirdHer, zeta Her, eta Her and pi Her, form
the asterism called Keystone. The globular brightest star (Gamma 1 Leo) is Algieba (meaning "forehead").
The spiral galaxies M65, M66, M95, M96, and the elliptical
star cluster M13 is located on the western
galaxy M105 are nearby.
part of the Keystone. The Tau Herculid
meteor shower seems to radiate from
Hercules.
LUPUS
LIBRA
[Abbreviation: Lib] Libra (the balance) is a constellation
of the zodiac. Libra is seen along the eclipticbetween
Virgo and Scorpius. The brightest star (Alpha 2 Lib) in
Lupus (the wolf) is a constellation in the Southern
Hemisphere. It is located between Centaurus to the
west, Scorpius to the northeast. The open star
cluster NGC 5822 is in Lupus.
Libra is Zuben Elgenubi, the second-brightest star (Beta
Lib) is Zuben Elschemali, the third-brightest star (Gamma
Lib) is Zuben Elakrab, and the fourth-brightest star (Delta
Lib) is Zuben Elakribi.
LYRA
Lyra (the lyre) is a small, bright constellation in the Northern
Hemisphere. The brightest star in Lyra is Vega (meaning
"falling eagle") which has a white color and is the fifth brightest
star in the sky.
ORION
Orion, also known as "The Hunter," is
a constellation. The brightest stars in Orion
are Rigel. Betelgeuse, and Bellatrix.
The Horsehead Nebula and the nebulae M42
and M43 (called the Orion nebula) are also in
this constellation.
PERSEUS
PEGASUS
Perseus is a constellation in the Milky Way in
the
Northen Hemisphere. It is abbreviated Per.
Pegasus (the flying horse) is a large northern hemisphere
Perseus' major star is alpha Per, called Marfak
constellation. Delta Pegasi is shared with the
or Algenib; it is an F5 supergiant. Beta Per is
constellationAndromeda. 51 Pegasi (51 Peg), off the Great
Square of Pegasus, is a nearby, Sun-like star that has been found the eclipsing binary Algol. Perseus was a hero
in Greek mythology who killed the monstrous
to have an orbiting planet.
Medusa. Each year in August, the Perseid
meteor shower radiates from this
constellation's northern part.
SAGITTARIUS
[Abbreviation: Sgr] Sagittarius is the ninth
constellation of the zodiac. To the ancients, it
PISCES
represented
a centaur (half-man, half-horse) archer
[Abbreviation: Psc] Pisces (the fish) is a faint equatorial
who was aiming at the Scorpion (the next
constellation of the zodiac. Pisces is seen along
constellation)
which bit Orion. Its central section
theecliptic between Aries and Aquarius. The brightest star
in Pisces (Alpha Psc) is Al Rischa (or Alrisha), the second- (the archer's chest) also resembles a teapot. The
center of the Milky Way Galaxy is in the direction
brightest-star (Beta Psc) is Fum al Samakah. The spiral
of
Sagittarius. Many meteor showers, including the
galaxy M74 is in Pisces.
Sagittariids, seem to radiate from Sagittarius. The
brightest star in Sagittarius (Alpha Sgr) is Rukbat
(which means "knee" in Arabic).
SOUTHERN CROSS
SCORPIUS
Crux is the scientific name of the Southern Cross
constellation. This well-known, cross-shaped Southern
Hemisphere constellation is on the Australian flag. The
[Abbreviation: Sco] Scorpius (the scorpion) is a
constellation of thezodiac. This constellation is
seen along the ecliptic between Libra and
Sagittarius. The brightest star in Scorpius
is Antares, a red supergiant star that is about 500
light-years away from Earth and is about 230
times as big as the Sun. The second-brightest
(Beta 1 Sco) is Graffias.
brightest star in Crux is Acrux, a double-star system at the
base of the cross. This constellation lies on the Milky Way
and is surrounded by the constellation Centaurus on three
sides. It is abbreviated Cru.
TAURUS
[Abbreviation: Tau] Taurus (the bull) is a constellation of
the zodiac. This constellation is seen along the eclipticbetween
Aries and Gemini. The brightest star (Alpha Tau) in Taurus is
Aldebaran, which is one of the bull's eyes (Aldebaran is the 13th
brightest star in the sky). The second-brightest star in Taurus
(Beta Tau) is Alnath, the third brightest (Gamma Tau) is Hyadum
I.
URSA MINOR
URSA MAJOR
Ursa major (The Great Bear) is a wellknown constellation in the Northern
Hemisphere that contains the 7 stars of
the Big Dipper.
VIRGO
Ursa minor (The Little Bear) is a Northern
Hemisphere constellation that is also known as the [Abbreviation: Vir] Virgo (the virgin) is a constellation of
Little Dipper. This group of stars starts at Polaris, the zodiac. It is located along the ecliptic between Leo and
Libra. Virgo is seen along the ecliptic. The brightest star
the pole star of the Northern Hemisphere
in Virgo is Spica (meaning "ear of wheat"). Virgo is the
second-largest constellation (of the 88 constellations),
after Hydra.