The 88 Recognized Constellations
Updated August 5, 2020 |
Infoplease Staff
In astronomical works, the Latin names of the constellations are used. The letter N or S following the Latin name indicates whether the constellation is located to the north or south of the Zodiac. The letter Z indicates that the constellation is within the Zodiac.
| Latin name | Letter | English version |
|---|---|---|
| Andromeda | N | Andromeda |
| Antlia | S | Airpump |
| Apus | S | Bird of Paradise |
| Aquarius | Z | Water Bearer |
| Aquila | N | Eagle |
| Ara | S | Altar |
| Aries | Z | Ram |
| Auriga | N | Charioteer |
| Boötes | N | Herdsmen |
| Caelum | S | Sculptor's Tool |
| Camelopardalis | N | Giraffe |
| Cancer | Z | Crab |
| Canes Venatici | N | Hunting Dogs |
| Canis Major | S | Great Dog |
| Canis Minor | S | Little Dog |
| Capricornus | Z | Goat (or SeaGoat) |
| Carina | S | Keel (of Argo)1 |
| Cassiopeia | N | Cassiopeia |
| Centaurus | S | Centaur |
| Cepheus | N | Cepheus |
| Cetus | S | Whale |
| Chameleon | S | Chameleon |
| Circinus | S | Compasses |
| Columba | S | Dove |
| Coma Berenices | N | Berenice's Hair |
| Corona Australis | S | Southern Crown |
| Corona Borealis | N | Northern Crown |
| Corvus | S | Crow (Raven) |
| Crater | S | Cup |
| Crux | S | Southern Cross |
| Cygnus | N | Swan |
| Delphinus | N | Dolphin |
| Dorado | S | Swordfish (Goldfish) |
| Draco | N | Dragon |
| Equuleus | N | Filly |
| Eridanus | S | Eridanus (river) |
| Fornax | S | Furnace |
| Gemini | Z | Twins |
| Grus | S | Crane |
| Hercules | N | Hercules |
| Horologium | S | Clock |
| Hydra | N | Sea Serpent |
| Hydrus | S | Water Snake |
| Indus | S | Indian |
| Lacerta | N | Lizard |
| Leo | Z | Lion |
| Leo Minor | N | Little Lion |
| Lepus | S | Hare |
| Libra | Z | Scales |
| Lupus | S | Wolf |
| Lynx | N | Lynx |
| Lyra | N | Lyre (Harp) |
| Mensa | S | Table (mountain) |
| Microscopium | S | Microscope |
| Monoceros | S | Unicorn |
| Musca | S | Southern Fly |
| Norma | S | Rule (straightedge) |
| Octans | S | Octant |
| Ophiuchus | N | Serpent-Bearer |
| Orion | S | Orion |
| Pavo | S | Peacock |
| Pegasus | N | Pegasus |
| Perseus | N | Perseus |
| Phoenix | S | Phoenix |
| Pictor | S | Painter (or his Easel) |
| Pisces | Z | Fishes |
| Piscis Austrinus | S | Southern Fish |
| Puppis | S | Poop (of Argo)1 |
| Pyxis | S | Mariner's Compass |
| Reticulum | S | Net |
| Sagitta | N | Arrow |
| Sagittarius | Z | Archer |
| Scorpius | Z | Scorpion |
| Sculptor | S | Sculptor |
| Scutum | N | Shield |
| Serpens | N | Serpent |
| Sextans | S | Sextant |
| Taurus | Z | Bull |
| Telescopium | S | Telescope |
| Triangulum | N | Triangle |
| Triangulum Australe | S | Southern Triangle |
| Tucana | S | Toucan |
| Ursa Major | N | Big Dipper2 |
| Ursa Minor | N | Little Dipper3 |
| Vela | S | Sail (of Argo)1 |
| Virgo | Z | Virgin |
| Volans | S | Flying Fish |
| Vulpecula | N | Fox |
1. The original constellation Argo Navis (the Ship Argo) has been divided into Carina, Puppis, and Vela. Normally the brightest star in each constellation is designated by alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, the second brightest by beta, the second letter of the Greek alphabet, and so forth. But the Greek letters run through Carina, Puppis, and Vela as if it were still one constellation.
2. The Big Dipper is only a part of the constellation Ursa Major (Great Bear) and is not a constellation by itself.
3. The Little Dipper is called Ursa Minor (Little Bear).
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