88 modern constellations

In contemporary astronomy, the sky is divided into 88 regions called constellations, generally based on the asterisms (which are also called "constellations") of Greek and Roman mythology. The number of 88, along with the contemporary scientific notion of "constellation", was conventioned in 1922 by the International Astronomical Union in order to establish a universal pattern for professional astronomers, who defined constellations from then on as regions of the sky separated by arcs of right ascensions and declinations and grouped by asterisms of their historically most important stars, which cover the entire celestial sphere.[1] The constellations along the ecliptic are called 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.[2] After this, Eugène Joseph Delporte drew up precise boundaries for each constellation,[2] so that every point in the sky belonged to exactly one constellation.

History

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.

Abbreviations

Each of the IAU constellations has an official 3 letter abbreviation. They are actually abbreviations of the genitive form of the constellation names, so some letters appearing in the abbreviation may come from the genitive form without appearing in the base name (as in Sge for Sagitta/Sagittae, to avoid confusion with Sagittarius, abbreviated Sgr).

The majority of the abbreviations are just the first three letters of the constellation, with the first character capitalised: Ori for Orion, Ara for Ara/Arae, Com for Coma Berenices. In cases where this would not unambiguously identify the constellation, or where the name and its genitive differ in the first three letters, other letters beyond the initial three are used: Aps for Apus/Apodis, CrA for Corona Australis, CrB for Corona Borealis, Crv for Corvus. (Crater is abbreviated Crt to prevent confusion with CrA.)

When letters are taken from the second word of a two-word name, the first letter from the second word is capitalised: CMa for Canis Major, CMi for Canis Minor.

The abbreviations are unambiguous, with two exceptions. Leo for the constellation Leo could be mistaken for Leo Minor (abbreviated LMi), and Tri for Triangulum could be mistaken for Triangulum Australe (abbreviated TrA).[3]

List

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 Abbreviations GenitiveOriginMeaningBrightest star
IAU[2]Other[4]
Andromeda
/ænˈdrɒmɪdə/[5]		AndAndrAndromedae
/ænˈdrɒmɪdiː/		ancient (Ptolemy)Andromeda (The chained maiden or princess)Alpheratz
Antlia
/ˈæntliə/[5]		AntAntlAntliae
/ˈæntliiː/		1763, Lacailleair pumpα Antliae
Apus
/ˈeɪpəs/[6]		ApsApusApodis
/ˈæpoʊdɪs/[6]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmanBird-of-paradise/Exotic Bird/Extraordinary Birdα Apodis
Aquarius
/əˈkwɛəriəs/[5]		AqrAqarAquarii
/əˈkwɛəriaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)water-bearerSadalsuud
Aquila
/ˈækwɪlə/[5]		AqlAqilAquilae
/ˈækwɪliː/		ancient (Ptolemy)eagleAltair
Ara
/ˈɛərə/[6]		AraAraeArae
/ˈɛəriː/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)altarβ Arae
Aries
/ˈɛər(i)iːz/[5][6]		AriArieArietis
/əˈraɪ.ɪtɪs/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)ramHamal
Auriga
/ɔːˈraɪɡə/[5][6]		AurAuriAurigae
/ɔːˈraɪdʒiː/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)charioteerCapella
Boötes
/boʊˈoʊtiːz/[5]		BooBootBoötis
/boʊˈoʊtɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)herdsmanArcturus
Caelum
/ˈsiːləm/[6]		CaeCaelCaeli
/ˈsiːlaɪ/[6]		1763, Lacaillechisel or graving toolα Caeli
Camelopardalis
/kəˌmɛloʊˈpɑːrdəlɪs/[6]		CamCamlCamelopardalis
/kəˌmɛloʊˈpɑːrdəlɪs/[6]		1613, Plancius[7]giraffeβ Camelopardalis
Cancer
/ˈkænsər/[5]		CncCancCancri
/ˈkæŋkraɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)crabTarf[8]
Canes Venatici
/ˈkeɪniːz vɪˈnætɪsaɪ/[6]		CVnCVenCanum Venaticorum
/ˈkeɪnəm vɪnætɪˈkɒrəm/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliushunting dogsCor Caroli
Canis Major
/ˈkeɪnɪs ˈmeɪdʒər/[6]		CMaCMajCanis Majoris
/ˈkeɪnɪs məˈdʒɒrɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)greater dogSirius
Canis Minor
/ˈkeɪnɪs ˈmaɪnər/[6]		CMiCMinCanis Minoris
/ˈkeɪnɪs mɪˈnɒrɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)lesser dogProcyon
Capricornus
/ˌkæprɪˈkɔːrnəs/[6]		CapCaprCapricorni
/ˌkæprɪˈkɔːrnaɪ/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)sea goatDeneb Algedi
Carina
/kəˈraɪnə/[5]		CarCariCarinae
/kəˈraɪniː/		1763, Lacaille, split from Argo NaviskeelCanopus
Cassiopeia
/ˌkæsioʊˈpiːə/[5][6]		CasCassCassiopeiae
/ˌkæsioʊˈpiːiː/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)Cassiopeia (mythological character)Schedar[8]
Centaurus
/sɛnˈtɔːrəs/[5]		CenCentCentauri
/sɛnˈtɔːraɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)centaurRigil Kentaurus[8]
Cepheus
/ˈsiːfiəs, -fjuːs/[6]		CepCephCephei
/ˈsiːfiaɪ/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)Cepheus (mythological character)Alderamin
Cetus
/ˈsiːtəs/[6]		CetCetiCeti
/ˈsiːtaɪ/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)sea monster (later interpreted as a whale)Diphda[8]
Chamaeleon
/kəˈmiːliən/[5]		ChaChamChamaeleontis
/kəˌmiːliˈɒntɪs/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmanchameleonα Chamaeleontis
Circinus
/ˈsɜːrsɪnəs/[5]		CirCircCircini
/ˈsɜːrsɪnaɪ/		1763, Lacaillecompassesα Circini
Columba
/koʊˈlʌmbə/[5]		ColColmColumbae
/koʊˈlʌmbiː/		1592, Plancius, split from Canis MajordovePhact
Coma Berenices
/ˈkoʊmə bɛrəˈnaɪsiːz/[6]		ComComaComae Berenices
/ˈkoʊmiː bɛrəˈnaɪsiːz/[6]		1603, Uranometria, split from LeoBerenice's hairβ Comae Berenices
Corona Australis[9]
/koʊˈroʊnə ɔːˈstrælɪs, -ˈstreɪ-/[5][6]		CrACorACoronae Australis
/koʊˈroʊniː ɔːˈstrælɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)southern crownMeridiana[8]
Corona Borealis
/koʊˈroʊnə ˌbɔːriˈælɪs, -ˈeɪlɪs/[5][6]		CrBCorBCoronae Borealis
/koʊˈroʊniː bɔːriˈælɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)northern crownAlphecca
Corvus
/ˈkɔːrvəs/[5]		CrvCorvCorvi
/ˈkɔːrvaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)crowGienah
Crater
/ˈkreɪtər/[5]		CrtCratCrateris
/krəˈtɪərɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)cupδ Crateris
Crux
/ˈkrʌks/[5]		CruCrucCrucis
/ˈkruːsɪs/		1603, Uranometria, split from Centaurussouthern crossAcrux
Cygnus
/ˈsɪɡnəs/[5]		CygCygnCygni
/ˈsɪɡnaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)swan or Northern CrossDeneb
Delphinus
/dɛlˈfaɪnəs/[5]		DelDlphDelphini
/dɛlˈfaɪnaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)dolphinRotanev
Dorado
/dəˈrɑːdoʊ/[10]		DorDoraDoradus
/dəˈreɪdəs/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmandolphinfishα Doradus
Draco
/ˈdreɪkoʊ/[6]		DraDracDraconis
/drəˈkoʊnɪs/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)dragonEltanin[8]
Equuleus
/ɪˈkwuːliəs/[6]		EquEqulEquulei
/ɪˈkwuːliaɪ/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)ponyKitalpha
Eridanus
/ɪˈrɪdənəs/[6]		EriEridEridani
/ɪˈrɪdənaɪ/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)river Eridanus (mythology)Achernar
Fornax
/ˈfɔːrnæks/		ForFornFornacis
/fɔːrˈneɪsɪs/		1763, Lacaillechemical furnaceDalim[8]
Gemini
/ˈdʒɛmɪnaɪ/[5]		GemGemiGeminorum
/ˌdʒɛmɪˈnɒrəm/		ancient (Ptolemy)twinsPollux
Grus
/ˈɡrʌs/[6]		GruGrusGruis
/ˈɡruːɪs/[6]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmanCraneAlnair
Hercules
/ˈhɜːrkjʊliːz/[6]		HerHercHerculis
/ˈhɜːrkjʊlɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)Hercules (mythological character)Kornephoros
Horologium
/ˌhɒrəˈlɒdʒiəm, -ˈloʊ-/[5][6]		HorHoroHorologii
/ˌhɒrəˈloʊdʒiaɪ/		1763, Lacaillependulum clockα Horologii
Hydra
/ˈhaɪdrə/[5]		HyaHydaHydrae
/ˈhaɪdriː/		ancient (Ptolemy)Hydra (mythological creature)Alphard
Hydrus
/ˈhaɪdrəs/[5]		HyiHydiHydri
/ˈhaɪdraɪ/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmanlesser water snakeβ Hydri
Indus
/ˈɪndəs/[5]		IndIndiIndi
/ˈɪndaɪ/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmanIndian (of unspecified type)α Indi
Lacerta
/ləˈsɜːrtə/[5]		LacLacrLacertae
/ləˈsɜːrtiː/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliuslizardα Lacertae
Leo
/ˈliːoʊ/[5]		LeoLeonLeonis
/liːˈoʊnɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)lionRegulus
Leo Minor
/ˈliːoʊ ˈmaɪnər/[5]		LMiLMinLeonis Minoris
/liːˈoʊnɪs mɪˈnɒrɪs/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliuslesser lionPraecipua
Lepus
/ˈliːpəs/[6]		LepLepsLeporis
/ˈlɛpərɪs/[5][6]		ancient (Ptolemy)hareArneb
Libra
/ˈlaɪbrə, ˈliː-/[5]		LibLibrLibrae
/ˈlaɪbriː/		ancient (Ptolemy)balanceZubeneschamali[8]
Lupus
/ˈljuːpəs/[5]		LupLupiLupi
/ˈljuːpaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)wolfα Lupi
Lynx
/ˈlɪŋks/[5]		LynLyncLyncis
/ˈlɪnsɪs/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliuslynxα Lyncis
Lyra
/ˈlaɪrə/[5]		LyrLyraLyrae
/ˈlaɪriː/		ancient (Ptolemy)lyre / harpVega
Mensa
/ˈmɛnsə/[5]		MenMensMensae
/ˈmɛnsiː/		1763, LacailleTable Mountain (South Africa)α Mensae
Microscopium
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈskoʊpiəm/		MicMicrMicroscopii
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈskoʊpiaɪ/		1763, Lacaillemicroscopeγ Microscopii
Monoceros
/məˈnɒsɪrəs/[5][6]		MonMonoMonocerotis
/ˌmɒnəsɪˈroʊtɪs/		1613, Planciusunicornβ Monocerotis
Musca
/ˈmʌskə/[6]		MusMuscMuscae
/ˈmʌsiː/[5][6]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmanflyα Muscae
Norma
/ˈnɔːrmə/[5]		NorNormNormae
/ˈnɔːrmiː/[5]		1763, Lacaillecarpenter's levelγ2 Normae
Octans
/ˈɒktænz/[6]		OctOctnOctantis
/ɒkˈtæntɪs/[6]		1763, Lacailleoctant (instrument)ν Octantis
Ophiuchus
/ˌɒfiˈjuːkəs/[5]		OphOphiOphiuchi
/ˌɒfiˈjuːkaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)serpent-bearerRasalhague
Orion
/oʊˈraɪən/[5]		OriOrioOrionis
/oʊˈraɪənɪs, ˌɒriˈoʊnɪs/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)Orion (mythological character)Rigel
Pavo
/ˈpeɪvoʊ/[5][6]		PavPavoPavonis
/pəˈvoʊnɪs/[6]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmanpeacockPeacock
Pegasus
/ˈpɛɡəsəs/[5]		PegPegsPegasi
/ˈpɛɡəsaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)Pegasus (mythological winged horse)Enif
Perseus
/ˈpɜːrsiəs, -sjuːs/[6]		PerPersPersei
/ˈpɜːrsiaɪ/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)Perseus (mythological character)Mirfak
Phoenix
/ˈfiːnɪks/[5]		PhePhoePhoenicis
/fɪˈnaɪsɪs/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmanphoenixAnkaa
Pictor
/ˈpɪktər/[6]		PicPictPictoris
/pɪkˈtɔːrɪs/[6]		1763, Lacailleeaselα Pictoris
Pisces
/ˈpaɪsiːz, ˈpɪ-/[5][6]		PscPiscPiscium
/ˈpɪʃiəm/[6]		ancient (Ptolemy)fishesAlpherg
Piscis Austrinus
/ˈpaɪsɪs ɔːˈstraɪnəs/		PsAPscAPiscis Austrini
/ˈpaɪsɪs ɔːˈstraɪnaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)southern fishFomalhaut
Puppis
/ˈpʌpɪs/[6]		PupPuppPuppis
/ˈpʌpɪs/[6]		1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navispoop deckNaos
Pyxis
/ˈpɪksɪs/[5]		PyxPyxiPyxidis
/ˈpɪksɪdɪs/		1763, Lacaillemariner's compassα Pyxidis
Reticulum
/rɪˈtɪkjʊləm/[5]		RetRetiReticuli
/rɪˈtɪkjʊlaɪ/		1763, Lacailleeyepiece graticuleα Reticuli
Sagitta
/səˈdʒɪtə/[5]		SgeSgteSagittae
/səˈdʒɪtiː/		ancient (Ptolemy)arrowγ Sagittae
Sagittarius
/sædʒɪˈtɛəriəs/[5]		SgrSgtrSagittarii
/ˌsædʒəˈtɛəriaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)archerKaus Australis
Scorpius
/ˈskɔːrpiəs/[5]		ScoScorScorpii
/ˈskɔːrpiaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)scorpionAntares
Sculptor
/ˈskʌlptər/[5]		SclSculSculptoris
/skəlpˈtɒrɪs/		1763, Lacaillesculptorα Sculptoris
Scutum
/ˈskjuːtəm/[5]		SctScutScuti
/ˈskjuːtaɪ/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliusshield (of Sobieski)α Scuti
Serpens[11]
/ˈsɜːrpɛnz/		SerSerpSerpentis
/sərˈpɛntɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)snakeUnukalhai
Sextans
/ˈsɛkstənz/[6]		SexSextSextantis
/sɛksˈtæntɪs/[6]		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliussextantα Sextantis
Taurus
/ˈtɔːrəs/[5]		TauTaurTauri
/ˈtɔːraɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)bullAldebaran
Telescopium
/ˌtɛlɪˈskɒpiəm/		TelTeleTelescopii
/ˌtɛlɪˈskɒpiaɪ/		1763, Lacailletelescopeα Telescopii
Triangulum
/traɪˈæŋɡjʊləm/		TriTriaTrianguli
/traɪˈæŋɡjʊlaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)triangleβ Trianguli
Triangulum Australe
/traɪˈæŋɡjʊləm ɔːˈstræliː, -ˈstreɪ-/		TrATrAuTrianguli Australis
/traɪˈæŋɡjʊlaɪ ɔːˈstrælɪs/		1603 Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmansouthern triangleAtria
Tucana
/tjuːˈkeɪnə/		TucTucnTucanae
/tjuːˈkeɪniː/		1603 Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmantoucanα Tucanae
Ursa Major
/ˌɜːrsə ˈmeɪdʒər/[5]		UMaUMajUrsae Majoris
/ˌɜːrsiː məˈdʒɒrɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)great bearAlioth
Ursa Minor
/ˌɜːrsə ˈmaɪnər/[5]		UMiUMinUrsae Minoris
/ˌɜːrsiː mɪˈnɒrɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)lesser bearPolaris
Vela
/ˈviːlə/[5]		VelVelrVelorum
/vɪˈlɔːrəm/		1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navissailsγ2 Velorum
Virgo
/ˈvɜːrɡoʊ/[5]		VirVirgVirginis
/ˈvɜːrdʒɪnɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)virgin or maidenSpica
Volans
/ˈvoʊlænz/[6]		VolVolnVolantis
/voʊˈlæntɪs/[6]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmanflying fishβ Volantis
Vulpecula
/vʌlˈpɛkjʊlə/[5]		VulVulpVulpeculae
/vʌlˈpɛkjʊliː/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, HeveliusfoxAnser

Asterisms

Various other unofficial patterns exist 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

References

  1. ↑ Eugène Delporte; International Astronomical Union (1930). Délimitation scientifique des constellations. At the University press.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Constellations". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  3. ↑ Russell, Henry Norris (1922). "The New International Symbols for the Constellations". Popular Astronomy. 30: 469. Bibcode:1922PA.....30..469R.
  4. ↑ NASA Dictionary of terms for Aerospace Use - table V, Constellations
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 OED, 2nd edition
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 Random House Dictionary
  7. ↑ 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
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Naming Stars". IAU.org. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  9. ↑ Corona Australis is sometimes called "Corona Austrina" /ɔːˈstriːnə/ (genitive: Coronae Austrinae)
  10. ↑ "Definition of dorado". Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  11. ↑ Serpens may be divided into Serpens Cauda (serpent's tail) and Serpens Caput (serpent's head)
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