Ever since people first wandered the Earth great significance has been given to the celestial objects seen in the sky. Throughout human history and across many different cultures, names and mythical stories have been attributed to the star patterns in the night sky, thus giving birth to what we know as constellations.
When were the first constellations recorded? Archaeological studies have identified possible astronomical markings painted on the walls in the cave system at Lascaux in southern France. Our ancestors may have recorded their view of the night sky on the walls of their cave some 17 300 years ago. It is thought that the Pleiades star cluster is represented alongside the nearby cluster of the Hyades. Was the first ever depiction of a star pattern made over seventeen millennia ago? (Rappenglück 1996)
The ancient Greeks were the first to describe over half of the 88 constellations recognised by the IAU today. Forty eight of the constellations we know were recorded in the seventh and eighth books of Claudius Ptolemy’s Almagest, although the exact origin of these constellations still remains uncertain. Ptolemy’s descriptions are probably strongly influenced by the work of Eudoxus of Knidos in around 350 BC. Between the 16th and 17th century AD, European astronomers and celestial cartographers added new constellations to the 48 previously described by Ptolemy; these new constellations were mainly “new discoveries” made by the Europeans who first explored the southern hemisphere. Those who made particular contributions to the “new” constellations include the German astronomer Johannes Hevelius; three Dutch cartographers, Frederick de Houtman, Pieter Dirksz Keyser and Gerard Mercator; the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille; the Flemish mapmaker Petrus Plancius and the Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci.
Originally the constellations were defined informally by the shapes made by their star patterns, but, as the pace of celestial discoveries quickened in the early 20th century, astronomers decided it would be helpful to have an official set of constellation boundaries. One reason was to aid in the naming of new variable stars, which brighten and fade rather than shine steadily. Such stars are named for the constellation in which they reside, so it is important to agree where one constellation ends and the next begins.
Eugène Delporte originally listed the 88 “modern” constellations on behalf of the IAU Commission 3 (Astronomical Notations), in Délimitation scientifique des constellations. (Delporte, 1930)
In star maps it is common to mark line “patterns” that represent the shapes that give the name to the constellations. However, the IAU defines a constellation by its boundary (indicated by sky coordinates) and not by its pattern and the same constellation may have several variants in its representation.
The constellations should be differentiated from asterisms. Asterisms are patterns or shapes of stars that are not related to the known constellations, but nonetheless are widely recognised by laypeople or in the amateur astronomy community. Examples of asterisms include the seven bright stars in Ursa Major known as “the Plough” in Europe or “the Big Dipper” in America, as well as “the Summer Triangle”, a large triangle, seen in the summer night sky in the northern hemisphere and composed of the bright stars Altair, Deneb and Vega. Whilst a grouping of stars may be officially designated a constellation by the IAU, this does not mean that the stars in that constellation are necessarily grouped together in space. Sometimes stars will be physically close to each other, like the Pleiades, but constellations are generally really a matter of perspective. They are simply our Earth-based interpretation of two dimensional star patterns on the sky made up of stars of many differing brightnesses and distances from Earth.
Each Latin constellation name has two forms: the nominative, for use when talking about the constellation itself, and the genitive, or possessive, which is used in star names. For instance, Hamal, the brightest star in the constellation Aries (nominative form), is also called Alpha Arietis (genitive form), meaning literally “the alpha of Aries”.
The Latin names of all the constellations, their abbreviated names and boundaries can be found in the table below. They are a mix of the ancient Greek patterns recorded by Ptolemy as well as some more “modern” patterns observed later by more modern astronomers.
The IAU adopted three-letter abbreviations of the constellation names at a meeting in Rome in 1922 after a proposal by Ejnar Hertzsprung and Henry Norris Russell. So, for instance, Andromeda is abbreviated to And whilst Draco is abbreviated to Dra.
Experienced astronomers, both professional and amateur, pronounce constellation names in many different ways, but have no trouble understanding each other. There is no single correct way of pronouncing a constellation name, and there are several sources that address the issue. (See also Covington (2002), Davis (1942), The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language). See for instance:
The charts below were produced in collaboration with Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg). Alan MacRobert's constellation patterns, drawn in green in the charts, were influenced by those of H. A. Rey but in many cases were adjusted to preserve earlier traditions.
Quick links : And , Ant, Aps, Aqr, Aql, Ara, Ari, Aur, Boo, Cae, Cam, Cnc, CVn, CMa, CMi, Cap, Car, Cas, Cen, Cep, Cet, Cha, Cir, Col, Com, CrA, CrB, Crv, Crt, Cru, Cyg, Del, Dor, Dra, Equ, Eri, For, Gem, Gru, Her, Hor, Hya, Hyi, Ind, Lac, Leo, LMi, Lep, Lib, Lup, Lyn, Lyr, Men, Mic, Mon, Mus, Nor, Oct, Oph, Ori, Pav, Peg, Per, Phe, Pic, Psc, PsA, Pup, Pyx, Ret, Sge, Sgr, Sco, Scl, Sct, Ser, Sex, Tau, Tel, Tri, TrA, Tuc, UMa, UMi, Vel, Vir, Vol, Vul
Chart legend
Name / Pronunciation |
Abbr. | English Name | Genitive / Pronunciation |
Downloads |
Andromedaan-DRAH-mih-duh |
And | the Chained Maiden | Andromedae an-DRAH-mih-dee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
AntliaANT-lee-uh |
Ant | the Air Pump | Antliae ANT-lee-ee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
Apus APE-us, APP-us |
Aps | the Bird of Paradise | Apodis APP-oh-diss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
uh-QUAIR-ee-us |
Aqr | the Water Bearer | Aquarii uh-QUAIR-ee-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
ACK-will-uh, uh-QUILL-uh |
Aql | the Eagle | Aquilae ACK-will-ee, uh-QUILL-ee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
AIR-uh, AR-uh |
Ara | the Altar | Arae AIR-ee, AR-ee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
AIR-eez, AIR-ee-yeez |
Ari | the Ram | Arietis uh-RYE-ih-tiss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
aw-RYE-guh |
Aur | the Charioteer | Aurigae aw-RYE-ghee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
bo-OH-teez |
Boo | the Herdsman | Boötis bo-OH-tiss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
SEE-lum |
Cae | the Engraving Tool | Caeli SEE-lye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
cuh-MEL-oh- PAR-duh-liss |
Cam | the Giraffe | Camelopardalis cuh-MEL-oh- PAR-duh-liss CANE-um (CAN-um) ve-nat-ih-COR-um |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
CAN-ser |
Cnc | the Crab | Cancri CANG-cry |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
CANE-eez (CAN-eez) ve-NAT-iss-eye |
CVn | the Hunting Dogs | Canum Venaticorum | Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) MAY-jer |
CMa | the Great Dog | Canis Majoris CANE-iss (CAN-iss) muh-JOR-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) MY-ner |
CMi | the Lesser Dog | Canis Minoris CANE-iss (CAN-iss) mih-NOR-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
CAP-rih-CORN-us |
Cap | the Sea Goat | Capricorni CAP-rih-CORN-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
cuh-RYE-nuh, cuh-REE-nuh |
Car | the Keel | Carinae cuh-RYE-nee, cuh-REE-nee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
CASS-ee-uh-PEE-uh |
Cas | the Seated Queen | Cassiopeiae CASS-ee-uh-PEE-ye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
Centaurus | Cen | the Centaur | Centauri | Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
Cepheus | Cep | the King | Cephei | Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
SEE-tus |
Cet | the Sea Monster | Ceti SEE-tie |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
cuh-MEAL-yun, cuh-MEAL-ee-un |
Cha | the Chameleon | Chamaeleontis cuh-MEAL-ee-ON-tiss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
SER-sin-us |
Cir | the Compass | Circini SER-sin-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
cuh-LUM-buh |
Col | the Dove | Columbae cuh-LUM-bee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
COE-muh BER-uh-NICE-eez |
Com | the Bernice's Hair | Comae Berenices COE-mee BER-uh-NICE-eez |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
cuh-ROE-nuh aw-STRAL-iss3 |
CrA | the Southern Crown | Coronae Australis cuh-ROE-nee aw-STRAL-iss3 |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
cuh-ROE-nuh bor-ee-AL-iss3 |
CrB | the Northern Crown | cuh-ROE-nee bor-ee-AL-iss3 | Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
COR-vus |
Crv | the Crow | Corvi COR-vye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
CRAY-ter |
Crt | the Cup | Crateris cruh-TEE-riss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
CRUCKS, CROOKS |
Cru | the Southern Cross | Crucis CROO-siss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
SIG- SIG-nu |
Cyg | the Swan | Cygni SIG-nye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
del-FINE-us, del-FIN-us |
Del | the Dolphin | Delphini del-FINE-eye, del-FIN-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
duh-RAH-do |
Dor | the Swordfish | Doradus duh-RAH-dus |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
DRAY-co |
Dra | the Dragon | Draconis druh-CONE-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
eh-QUOO-lee-us |
Equ | the Little Horse | Equulei eh-QUOO-lee-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
ih-RID-un-us |
Eri | the River | Eridani ih-RID-un-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
FOR- FOR-naks |
For | the Furnace | Fornacis for-NAY-siss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
JEM-uh-nye, JEM-uh-nee |
Gem | the Twins | Geminorum JEM-uh-NOR-um |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
GRUSS, GROOS |
Gru | the Crane | Gruis GROO-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
HER-kyuh-leez |
Her | the Hercules | Herculis HER-kyuh-liss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
hor-uh-LOE-jee-um |
Hor | the Clock | Horologii hor-uh-LOE-jee-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
HIGH-druh |
Hya | the Female Water Snake | Hydrae HIGH-dree |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
HIGH-drus |
Hyi | the Male Water Snake | Hydri HIGH-dry |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
IN-dus |
Ind | the Indian | Indi IN-dye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
luh-SER-tuh |
Lac | the Lizard | Lacertae luh-SER-tee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
LEE-oh |
Leo | the Lion | Leonis lee-OH-niss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
LEE-oh MY-ner |
LMi | the Lesser Lion | Leonis Minoris lee-OH-niss mih-NOR-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
LEEP-us, LEP-us |
Lep | the Hare | Leporis LEP-or-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
LEE-bruh, LYE-bruh |
Lib | the Scales | Librae LEE-bree, LYE-bree |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
LOOP-us |
Lup | the Wolf | Lupi LOOP-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
LINKS |
Lyn | the Lynx | Lyncis LIN-siss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
LYE-ruh |
Lyr | the Lyre | Lyrae LYE-ree |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
MEN-suh |
Men | the Table Mountain | Mensae MEN-see |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
my-cruh-SCOPE-ee-um |
Mic | the Microscope | Microscopii my-cruh-SCOPE-ee-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
muh-NAH-ser-us |
Mon | the Unicorn | Monocerotis muh-NAH-ser-OH-tiss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
MUSS-cuh |
Mus | the Fly | Muscae MUSS-see, MUSS-kee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
NOR-muh |
Nor | the Carpenter's Square | Normae NOR-mee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
OCK-tanz |
Oct | the Octant | Octantis ock-TAN-tiss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
OFF-ee-YOO-kus, OAF-ee-YOO-kus |
Oph | the Serpent Bearer | Ophiuchi OFF-ee-YOO-kye, OAF-ee-YOO-kye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
oh-RYE-un, uh-RYE-un |
Ori | the Hunter | Orionis or-eye-OH-niss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
PAY-vo |
Pav | the Peacock | Pavonis puh-VOE-niss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
PEG-us-us |
Peg | the Winged Horse | Pegasi PEG-us-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
PER-see-us, PER-syoos |
Per | the Hero | Persei PER-see-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
FEE-nix |
Phe | the Phoenix
|
Phoenicis fuh-NICE-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
PICK-ter |
Pic | the Painter's Easel | Pictoris pick-TOR-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
PICE-eez, PISS-eez |
Psc | the Fishes | Piscium PICE-ee-um, PISH-ee-um |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
PICE-iss (PISS-iss) aw-STRY-nus |
PsA | the Southern Fish | Piscis Austrini PICE-iss (PISS-iss) aw-STRY-nye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
PUP-iss |
Pup | the Stern | Puppis PUP-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
PIX-iss |
Pyx | the Compass | Pyxidis PIX-ih-diss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
rih-TICK-yuh-lum |
Ret | the Reticle | Reticuli rih-TICK-yuh-lye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
suh-JIT-uh |
Sge | the Arrow | Sagittae suh-JIT-ee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
SAJ-ih-TARE-ee-us |
Sgr | the Archer | Sagittarii SAJ-ih-TARE-ee-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
SCOR-pee-us |
Sco | the Scorpion | Scorpii SCOR-pee-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
SCULP-ter |
Scl | the Sculptor | Sculptoris sculp-TOR-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
SCOOT-um, SCYOOT-um |
Sct | the Shield | Scuti SCOOT-eye, SCYOOT-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
Serpens SER-punz |
Ser | the Serpent | Serpentis ser-PEN-tiss |
Constellation charts (Serpens Caput) Constellation boundary (Serpens Caput) Constellation charts (Serpens Cauda) Constellation boundary (Serpens Cauda) |
SEX-tunz |
Sex | the Sextant | Sextantis sex-TAN-tiss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
TOR-us |
Tau | the Bull | Tauri TOR-eye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
Telescopium | Tel | the Telescope | Telescopii | Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
try-ANG-gyuh-lum |
Tri | the Triangle | Trianguli try-ANG-gyuh-lye |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
try-ANG-gyuh-lum aw-STRAL-ee |
TrA | the Southern Triangle | Trianguli Australis try-ANG-gyuh-lye aw-STRAL-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
too-KAY-nuh, too-KAH-nuh |
Tuc | the Toucan | Tucanae too-KAY-nee, too-KAH-nee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
ER-suh MAY-jur |
UMa | the Great Bear | Ursae Majoris ER-suh muh-JOR-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
ER-suh MY-ner |
UMi | the Little Bear | Ursae Minoris ER-suh mih-NOR-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
VEE-luh, VAY-luh |
Vel | the Sails | Velorum vee-LOR-um, vuh-LOR-um |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
VER-go |
Vir | the Maiden | Virginis VER-jin-iss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
VOH-lanz |
Vol | the Flying Fish | Volantis vo-LAN-tiss |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
vul-PECK-yuh-luh |
Vul | the Fox | Vulpeculae vul-PECK-yuh-lee |
Constellation charts Constellation boundary |
Each constellation comes with the following basic information:
Explanation of the fields:
Images Legend
References