IAU designated constellations

In contemporary astronomy, 88 constellations are recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).[1] Each constellation is a region of the sky, bordered by arcs of right ascension and declination. Together they cover the celestial sphere, with their boundaries adopted officially by the International Astronomical Union in 1928 and published in 1930.[2]

The ancient Sumerians, and later the Greeks (as recorded by Ptolemy), established most of the northern constellations in international use today. The constellations along the ecliptic are called the zodiac. When explorers mapped the stars of the southern skies, European astronomers proposed new constellations for that region, as well as ones to fill gaps between the traditional constellations. In 1922, the International Astronomical Union adopted three-letter abbreviations for 89 constellations, the modern list of 88 plus Argo. After this, Eugène Joseph Delporte drew up boundaries for each of the 88 constellations so that every point in the sky belonged to one constellation.[1][2]

History
Main articles: History of the constellations and Former constellations

Some constellations are no longer recognized by the IAU, 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 IAU constellation has an official 3-letter abbreviation based on the genitive form of the constellation name. The majority of the abbreviations are just the first three letters of the constellation name, with the first character capitalised: Ori for Orion, Ara for Ara/Arae, Com for Coma Berenices. In some cases, the abbreviation is from the genitive form without appearing in the base name (as in Hyi for Hydrus/Hydri, to avoid confusion with Hydra, abbreviated Hya; and Sge for Sagitta/Sagittae, to avoid confusion with Sagittarius, abbreviated Sgr). In other cases, to unambiguously identify the constellation, such as 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. Two cases are ambiguous: 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[4]NASA[5]
Andromeda
/ænˈdrɒmɪdə/[6]		AndAndrAndromedae
/ænˈdrɒmɪdiː/		ancient (Ptolemy)Andromeda (The chained maiden or princess)Alpheratz
Antlia
/ˈæntliə/[6]		AntAntlAntliae
/ˈæntliiː/		1763, Lacailleair pumpα Antliae
Apus
/ˈeɪpəs/[7]		ApsApusApodis
/ˈæpoʊdɪs/[7]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmanBird-of-paradise/Exotic Bird/Extraordinary Birdα Apodis
Aquarius
/əˈkwɛəriəs/[6]		AqrAqarAquarii
/əˈkwɛəriaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)water-bearerSadalsuud
Aquila
/ˈækwɪlə/[6]		AqlAqilAquilae
/ˈækwɪliː/		ancient (Ptolemy)eagleAltair
Ara
/ˈɛərə/[7]		AraAraeArae
/ˈɛəriː/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)altarβ Arae
Aries
/ˈɛər(i)iːz/[6][7]		AriArieArietis
/əˈraɪ.ɪtɪs/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)ramHamal
Auriga
/ɔːˈraɪɡə/[6][7]		AurAuriAurigae
/ɔːˈraɪdʒiː/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)charioteerCapella
Boötes
/boʊˈoʊtiːz/[6]		BooBootBoötis
/boʊˈoʊtɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)herdsmanArcturus
Caelum
/ˈsiːləm/[7]		CaeCaelCaeli
/ˈsiːlaɪ/[7]		1763, Lacaillechisel or engraving toolα Caeli
Camelopardalis
/kəˌmɛloʊˈpɑːrdəlɪs/[7]		CamCamlCamelopardalis
/kəˌmɛloʊˈpɑːrdəlɪs/[7]		1613, Plancius[note 1]giraffeβ Camelopardalis
Cancer
/ˈkænsər/[6]		CncCancCancri
/ˈkæŋkraɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)crabTarf[8]
Canes Venatici
/ˈkeɪniːz vɪˈnætɪsaɪ/[7]		CVnCVenCanum Venaticorum
/ˈkeɪnəm vɪnætɪˈkɒrəm/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliushunting dogsCor Caroli
Canis Major
/ˈkeɪnɪs ˈmeɪdʒər/[7]		CMaCMajCanis Majoris
/ˈkeɪnɪs məˈdʒɒrɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)greater dogSirius
Canis Minor
/ˈkeɪnɪs ˈmaɪnər/[7]		CMiCMinCanis Minoris
/ˈkeɪnɪs mɪˈnɒrɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)lesser dogProcyon
Capricornus
/ˌkæprɪˈkɔːrnəs/[7]		CapCaprCapricorni
/ˌkæprɪˈkɔːrnaɪ/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)sea goatDeneb Algedi
Carina
/kəˈraɪnə/[6]		CarCariCarinae
/kəˈraɪniː/		1763, Lacaille, split from Argo NaviskeelCanopus
Cassiopeia
/ˌkæsioʊˈpiːə/[6][7]		CasCassCassiopeiae
/ˌkæsioʊˈpiːiː/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)Cassiopeia (mythological character)Schedar[8]
Centaurus
/sɛnˈtɔːrəs/[6]		CenCentCentauri
/sɛnˈtɔːraɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)centaurRigil Kentaurus[8]
Cepheus
/ˈsiːfiəs/[7]		CepCephCephei
/ˈsiːfiaɪ/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)Cepheus (mythological character)Alderamin
Cetus
/ˈsiːtəs/[7]		CetCetiCeti
/ˈsiːtaɪ/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)sea monster (later interpreted as a whale)Diphda[8]
Chamaeleon
/kəˈmiːliən/[6]		ChaChamChamaeleontis
/kəˌmiːliˈɒntɪs/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmanchameleonα Chamaeleontis
Circinus
/ˈsɜːrsɪnəs/[6]		CirCircCircini
/ˈsɜːrsɪnaɪ/		1763, Lacaillecompassesα Circini
Columba
/koʊˈlʌmbə/[6]		ColColmColumbae
/koʊˈlʌmbiː/		1592, Plancius, split from Canis MajordovePhact
Coma Berenices
/ˈkoʊmə bɛrəˈnaɪsiːz/[7]		ComComaComae Berenices
/ˈkoʊmiː bɛrəˈnaɪsiːz/[7]		1536, Caspar Vopel,[9] split from LeoBerenice's hairβ Comae Berenices
Corona Australis
/koʊˈroʊnə ɔːˈstrælɪs, -ˈstreɪ-/[6][7]		CrACorACoronae Australis
/koʊˈroʊniː ɔːˈstrælɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)southern crownMeridiana[8]
Corona Borealis
/koʊˈroʊnə ˌbɔːriˈælɪs, -ˈeɪlɪs/[6][7]		CrBCorBCoronae Borealis
/koʊˈroʊniː bɔːriˈælɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)northern crownAlphecca
Corvus
/ˈkɔːrvəs/[6]		CrvCorvCorvi
/ˈkɔːrvaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)crowGienah
Crater
/ˈkreɪtər/[6]		CrtCratCrateris
/krəˈtɪərɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)cupδ Crateris
Crux
/ˈkrʌks/[6]		CruCrucCrucis
/ˈkruːsɪs/		1603, Uranometria, split from Centaurussouthern crossAcrux
Cygnus
/ˈsɪɡnəs/[6]		CygCygnCygni
/ˈsɪɡnaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)swan or Northern CrossDeneb
Delphinus
/dɛlˈfaɪnəs/[6]		DelDlphDelphini
/dɛlˈfaɪnaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)dolphinRotanev
Dorado
/dəˈrɑːdoʊ/[10]		DorDoraDoradus
/dəˈreɪdəs/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmandolphinfishα Doradus
Draco
/ˈdreɪkoʊ/[7]		DraDracDraconis
/drəˈkoʊnɪs/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)dragonEltanin[8]
Equuleus
/ɪˈkwuːliəs/[7]		EquEqulEquulei
/ɪˈkwuːliaɪ/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)ponyKitalpha
Eridanus
/ɪˈrɪdənəs/[7]		EriEridEridani
/ɪˈrɪdənaɪ/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)river Eridanus (mythology)Achernar
Fornax
/ˈfɔːrnæks/		ForFornFornacis
/fɔːrˈneɪsɪs/		1763, Lacaillechemical furnaceDalim[8]
Gemini
/ˈdʒɛmɪnaɪ/[6]		GemGemiGeminorum
/ˌdʒɛmɪˈnɒrəm/		ancient (Ptolemy)twinsPollux
Grus
/ˈɡrʌs/[7]		GruGrusGruis
/ˈɡruːɪs/[7]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmancraneAlnair
Hercules
/ˈhɜːrkjʊliːz/[7]		HerHercHerculis
/ˈhɜːrkjʊlɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)Hercules (mythological character)Kornephoros
Horologium
/ˌhɒrəˈlɒdʒiəm, -ˈloʊ-/[6][7]		HorHoroHorologii
/ˌhɒrəˈloʊdʒiaɪ/		1763, Lacaillependulum clockα Horologii
Hydra
/ˈhaɪdrə/[6]		HyaHydaHydrae
/ˈhaɪdriː/		ancient (Ptolemy)Hydra (mythological creature)Alphard
Hydrus
/ˈhaɪdrəs/[6]		HyiHydiHydri
/ˈhaɪdraɪ/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmanlesser water snakeβ Hydri
Indus
/ˈɪndəs/[6]		IndIndiIndi
/ˈɪndaɪ/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmanIndian (of unspecified type)α Indi
Lacerta
/ləˈsɜːrtə/[6]		LacLacrLacertae
/ləˈsɜːrtiː/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliuslizardα Lacertae
Leo
/ˈliːoʊ/[6]		LeoLeonLeonis
/liːˈoʊnɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)lionRegulus
Leo Minor
/ˈliːoʊ ˈmaɪnər/[6]		LMiLMinLeonis Minoris
/liːˈoʊnɪs mɪˈnɒrɪs/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliuslesser lionPraecipua
Lepus
/ˈliːpəs/[7]		LepLepsLeporis
/ˈlɛpərɪs/[6][7]		ancient (Ptolemy)hareArneb
Libra
/ˈlaɪbrə, ˈliː-/[6]		LibLibrLibrae
/ˈlaɪbriː/		ancient (Ptolemy)balanceZubeneschamali[8]
Lupus
/ˈljuːpəs/[6]		LupLupiLupi
/ˈljuːpaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)wolfα Lupi
Lynx
/ˈlɪŋks/[6]		LynLyncLyncis
/ˈlɪnsɪs/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliuslynxα Lyncis
Lyra
/ˈlaɪrə/[6]		LyrLyraLyrae
/ˈlaɪriː/		ancient (Ptolemy)lyre / harpVega
Mensa
/ˈmɛnsə/[6]		MenMensMensae
/ˈmɛnsiː/		1763, Lacaille, as Mons MensæTable Mountain (South Africa)α Mensae
Microscopium
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈskɒpiəm/		MicMicrMicroscopii
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈskɒpiaɪ/		1763, Lacaillemicroscopeγ Microscopii
Monoceros
/məˈnɒsɪrəs/[6][7]		MonMonoMonocerotis
/ˌmɒnəsɪˈroʊtɪs/		1613, Planciusunicornβ Monocerotis
Musca
/ˈmʌskə/[7]		MusMuscMuscae
/ˈmʌsiː/[6][7]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtmanflyα Muscae
Norma
/ˈnɔːrmə/[6]		NorNormNormae
/ˈnɔːrmiː/[6]		1763, Lacaillecarpenter's levelγ2 Normae
Octans
/ˈɒktænz/[7]		OctOctnOctantis
/ɒkˈtæntɪs/[7]		1763, Lacailleoctant (instrument)ν Octantis
Ophiuchus
/ˌɒfiˈjuːkəs/[6]		OphOphiOphiuchi
/ˌɒfiˈjuːkaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)serpent-bearerRasalhague
Orion
/oʊˈraɪən/[6]		OriOrioOrionis
/oʊˈraɪənɪs, ˌɒriˈoʊnɪs/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)Orion (mythological character)Rigel
Pavo
/ˈpeɪvoʊ/[6][7]		PavPavoPavonis
/pəˈvoʊnɪs/[7]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmanpeacockPeacock
Pegasus
/ˈpɛɡəsəs/[6]		PegPegsPegasi
/ˈpɛɡəsaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)Pegasus (mythological winged horse)Enif
Perseus
/ˈpɜːrsiəs/[7]		PerPersPersei
/ˈpɜːrsiaɪ/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)Perseus (mythological character)Mirfak
Phoenix
/ˈfiːnɪks/[6]		PhePhoePhoenicis
/fɪˈnaɪsɪs/		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de HoutmanphoenixAnkaa
Pictor
/ˈpɪktər/[7]		PicPictPictoris
/pɪkˈtɔːrɪs/[7]		1763, Lacaille, as Equuleus Pictoriseaselα Pictoris
Pisces
/ˈpaɪsiːz, ˈpɪ-/[6][7]		PscPiscPiscium
/ˈpɪʃiəm/[7]		ancient (Ptolemy)fishesAlpherg
Piscis Austrinus
/ˈpaɪsɪs ɔːˈstraɪnəs/		PsAPscAPiscis Austrini
/ˈpaɪsɪs ɔːˈstraɪnaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)southern fishFomalhaut
Puppis
/ˈpʌpɪs/[7]		PupPuppPuppis
/ˈpʌpɪs/[7]		1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navispoop deckNaos
Pyxis
/ˈpɪksɪs/[6]		PyxPyxiPyxidis
/ˈpɪksɪdɪs/		1763, Lacaillemariner's compassα Pyxidis
Reticulum
/rɪˈtɪkjʊləm/[6]		RetRetiReticuli
/rɪˈtɪkjʊlaɪ/		1763, Lacailleeyepiece graticuleα Reticuli
Sagitta
/səˈdʒɪtə/[6]		SgeSgteSagittae
/səˈdʒɪtiː/		ancient (Ptolemy)arrowγ Sagittae
Sagittarius
/sædʒɪˈtɛəriəs/[6]		SgrSgtrSagittarii
/ˌsædʒəˈtɛəriaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)archerKaus Australis
Scorpius
/ˈskɔːrpiəs/[6]		ScoScorScorpii
/ˈskɔːrpiaɪ/		ancient (Ptolemy)scorpionAntares
Sculptor
/ˈskʌlptər/[6]		SclSculSculptoris
/skəlpˈtɒrɪs/		1763, Lacaillesculptorα Sculptoris
Scutum
/ˈskjuːtəm/[6]		SctScutScuti
/ˈskjuːtaɪ/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliusshield (of Sobieski)α Scuti
Serpens[11]
/ˈsɜːrpɛnz/		SerSerpSerpentis
/sərˈpɛntɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)snakeUnukalhai
Sextans
/ˈsɛkstənz/[7]		SexSextSextantis
/sɛksˈtæntɪs/[7]		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Heveliussextantα Sextantis
Taurus
/ˈtɔːrəs/[6]		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/[6]		UMaUMajUrsae Majoris
/ˌɜːrsiː məˈdʒɒrɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)great bearAlioth
Ursa Minor
/ˌɜːrsə ˈmaɪnər/[6]		UMiUMinUrsae Minoris
/ˌɜːrsiː mɪˈnɒrɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)lesser bearPolaris
Vela
/ˈviːlə/[6]		VelVelrVelorum
/vɪˈlɔːrəm/		1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navissailsγ2 Velorum
Virgo
/ˈvɜːrɡoʊ/[6]		VirVirgVirginis
/ˈvɜːrdʒɪnɪs/		ancient (Ptolemy)virgin or maidenSpica
Volans
/ˈvoʊlænz/[7]		VolVolnVolantis
/voʊˈlæntɪs/[7]		1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman, as Piscis Volansflying fishβ Volantis
Vulpecula
/vʌlˈpɛkjʊlə/[6]		VulVulpVulpeculae
/vʌlˈpɛkjʊliː/		1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius, as Vulpecula cum AnserefoxAnser

Asterisms
Main article: Asterism (astronomy)

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

Notes
  1. 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.

References
  1. "The Constellations". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  2. Eugène Delporte; International Astronomical Union (1930). Délimitation scientifique des constellations. At the University press.
  3. Russell, Henry Norris (1922). "The New International Symbols for the Constellations". Popular Astronomy. 30: 469. Bibcode:1922PA.....30..469R.
  4. "The Constellations". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  5. NASA Dictionary of terms for Aerospace Use – table V, Constellations
  6. OED, 2nd edition
  7. Random House Dictionary
  8. "Naming Stars". IAU.org. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  9. "Comae Berenices". Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  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), but these disjoint areas are considered part of the same constellation by the IAU.
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