Over half of the 88 constellations the IAU recognizes today are attributed to ancient Greek, which consolidated the earlier works by the ancient Babylonian, Egyptian and Assyrian. 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 Polish-born, 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.
IAU and the 88 Constellations
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)
Constellation Figures
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.
Constellation Names
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 its inaugural General Assembly in Rome in 1922. So, for instance, Andromeda is abbreviated to And whilst Draco is abbreviated to Dra.
Charts and tables
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. The images are released under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
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 text legend
Charts Graphical Legend
Charts
| Name / Pronunciation |
Abbr. | English Name | Genitive / Pronunciation |
Downloads |
| Andromeda
an-DRAH-mih-duh |
And | the Chained Maiden | Andromedae an-DRAH-mih-dee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (117 KB) PDF (829 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Antlia
ANT-lee-uh |
Ant | the Air Pump | Antliae ANT-lee-ee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (111 KB) PDF (815 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Apus APE-us, APP-us |
Aps | the Bird of Paradise | Apodis
APP-oh-diss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (155 KB) PDF (836 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Aquarius
uh-QUAIR-ee-us |
Aqr | the Water Bearer | Aquarii
uh-QUAIR-ee-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (124 KB) PDF (879 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Aquila
ACK-will-uh, uh-QUILL-uh |
Aql | the Eagle | Aquilae
ACK-will-ee, uh-QUILL-ee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (108 KB) PDF (820KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Ara
AIR-uh, AR-uh |
Ara | the Altar | Arae
AIR-ee, AR-ee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (114 KB) PDF (807 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Aries
AIR-eez, AIR-ee-yeez |
Ari | the Ram | Arietis
uh-RYE-ih-tiss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (118 KB) PDF (805 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Auriga
aw-RYE-guh |
Aur | the Charioteer | Aurigae
aw-RYE-ghee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (122 KB) PDF (381 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Boötes
bo-OH-teez |
Boo | the Herdsman | Boötis
bo-OH-tiss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (147 KB) PDF (823KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Caelum
SEE-lum |
Cae | the Engraving Tool | Caeli
SEE-lye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (97 KB) PDF (780 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Camelopardalis
cuh-MEL-oh- PAR-duh-liss |
Cam | the Giraffe | Camelopardalis
cuh-MEL-oh- PAR-duh-liss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (156 KB) PDF (888 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Cancer
CAN-ser |
Cnc | the Crab | Cancri
CANG-cry |
 Constellation chartsGIF (108 KB) PDF (814 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Canes Venatici
CANE-eez (CAN-eez) ve-NAT-iss-eye |
CVn | the Hunting Dogs | Canum Venaticorum
CANE-um (CAN-um) ve-nat-ih-COR-um |
 Constellation chartsGIF (106 KB) PDF (790 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Canis Major
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) MAY-jer |
CMa | the Great Dog | Canis Majoris
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) muh-JOR-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (134 KB) PDF (849 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Canis Minor
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) MY-ner |
CMi | the Lesser Dog | Canis Minoris
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) mih-NOR-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (83 KB) PDF (766 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Capricornus
CAP-rih-CORN-us |
Cap | the Sea Goat | Capricorni
CAP-rih-CORN-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (98 KB) PDF (818 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Carina
cuh-RYE-nuh, cuh-REE-nuh |
Car | the Keel | Carinae
cuh-RYE-nee, cuh-REE-nee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (143 KB) PDF (882 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Cassiopeia
CASS-ee-uh-PEE-uh |
Cas | the Seated Queen | Cassiopeiae
CASS-ee-uh-PEE-ye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (139 KB) PDF (846 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Centaurus | Cen | the Centaur | Centauri |  Constellation chartsGIF (178 KB) PDF (549 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Cepheus | Cep | the King | Cephei |  Constellation chartsGIF (200 KB) PDF (873 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Cetus
SEE-tus |
Cet | the Sea Monster | Ceti
SEE-tie |
 Constellation chartsGIF (122 KB) PDF (873 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Chamaeleon
cuh-MEAL-yun, cuh-MEAL-ee-un |
Cha | the Chameleon | Chamaeleontis
cuh-MEAL-ee-ON-tiss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (183 KB) PDF (834 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Circinus
SER-sin-us |
Cir | the Compass | Circini
SER-sin-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (131 KB) PDF (818 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Columba
cuh-LUM-buh |
Col | the Dove | Columbae
cuh-LUM-bee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (99 KB) PDF (797 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Coma Berenices
COE-muh BER-uh-NICE-eez |
Com | the Bernice’s Hair | Comae Berenices
COE-mee BER-uh-NICE-eez |
 Constellation chartsGIF (101 KB) PDF (788 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Corona Australis
cuh-ROE-nuh aw-STRAL-iss3 |
CrA | the Southern Crown | Coronae Australis
cuh-ROE-nee aw-STRAL-iss3 |
 Constellation chartsGIF (107 KB) PDF (787 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Corona Borealis
cuh-ROE-nuh bor-ee-AL-iss3 |
CrB | the Northern Crown | cuh-ROE-nee bor-ee-AL-iss3 |  Constellation chartsGIF (89 KB) PDF (771 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Corvus
COR-vus |
Crv | the Crow | Corvi
COR-vye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (74 KB) PDF (763 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Crater
CRAY-ter |
Crt | the Cup | Crateris
cruh-TEE-riss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (75 KB) PDF (787 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Crux
CRUCKS, CROOKS |
Cru | the Southern Cross | Crucis
CROO-siss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (119 KB) PDF (811 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Cygnus
SIG- SIG-nu |
Cyg | the Swan | Cygni
SIG-nye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (174 KB) PDF (866 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Delphinus
del-FINE-us, del-FIN-us |
Del | the Dolphin | Delphini
del-FINE-eye, del-FIN-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (81 KB) PDF (767 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Dorado
duh-RAH-do |
Dor | the Swordfish | Doradus
duh-RAH-dus |
 Constellation chartsGIF (108 KB) PDF (795 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Draco
DRAY-co |
Dra | the Dragon | Draconis
druh-CONE-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (153 KB) PDF (898 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Equuleus
eh-QUOO-lee-us |
Equ | the Little Horse | Equulei
eh-QUOO-lee-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (69 KB) PDF (749 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Eridanus
ih-RID-un-us |
Eri | the River | Eridani
ih-RID-un-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (167 KB) PDF (941 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Fornax
FOR-naks |
For | the Furnace | Fornacis
for-NAY-siss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (108 KB) PDF (811 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Gemini
JEM-uh-nye, JEM-uh-nee |
Gem | the Twins | Geminorum
JEM-uh-NOR-um |
 Constellation chartsGIF (122 KB) PDF (832 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Grus
GRUSS, GROOS |
Gru | the Crane | Gruis
GROO-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (127 KB) PDF (829 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Hercules
HER-kyuh-leez |
Her | the Hercules | Herculis
HER-kyuh-liss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (156 KB) PDF (829 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Horologium
hor-uh-LOE-jee-um |
Hor | the Clock | Horologii
hor-uh-LOE-jee-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (107 KB) PDF (788 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Hydra
HIGH-druh |
Hya | the Female Water Snake | Hydrae
HIGH-dree |
 Constellation chartsGIF (127 KB) PDF (929 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Hydrus
HIGH-drus |
Hyi | the Male Water Snake | Hydri
HIGH-dry |
 Constellation chartsGIF (143 KB) PDF (821 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Indus
IN-dus |
Ind | the Indian | Indi
IN-dye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (131 KB) PDF (834 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Lacerta
luh-SER-tuh |
Lac | the Lizard | Lacertae
luh-SER-tee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (124 KB) PDF (812 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Leo
LEE-oh |
Leo | the Lion | Leonis
lee-OH-niss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (142 KB) PDF (820 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Leo Minor
LEE-oh MY-ner |
LMi | the Lesser Lion | Leonis Minoris
lee-OH-niss mih-NOR-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (103 KB) PDF (799 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Lepus
LEEP-us, LEP-us |
Lep | the Hare | Leporis
LEP-or-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (94 KB) PDF (787 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Libra
LEE-bruh, LYE-bruh |
Lib | the Scales | Librae
LEE-bree, LYE-bree |
 Constellation chartsGIF (111 KB) PDF (819 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Lupus
LOOP-us |
Lup | the Wolf | Lupi
LOOP-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (137 KB) PDF (857 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Lynx
LINKS |
Lyn | the Lynx | Lyncis
LIN-siss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (111 KB) PDF (796 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Lyra
LYE-ruh |
Lyr | the Lyre | Lyrae
LYE-ree |
 Constellation chartsGIF (91 KB) PDF (776 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Mensa
MEN-suh |
Men | the Table Mountain | Mensae
MEN-see |
 Constellation chartsGIF (161 KB) PDF (827 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Microscopium
my-cruh-SCOPE-ee-um |
Mic | the Microscope | Microscopii
my-cruh-SCOPE-ee-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (87 KB) PDF (776 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Monoceros
muh-NAH-ser-us |
Mon | the Unicorn | Monocerotis
muh-NAH-ser-OH-tiss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (110 KB) PDF (821 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Musca
MUSS-cuh |
Mus | the Fly | Muscae
MUSS-see, MUSS-kee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (134 KB) PDF (828 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Norma
NOR-muh |
Nor | the Carpenter’s Square | Normae
NOR-mee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (118 KB) PDF (803 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Octans
OCK-tanz |
Oct | the Octant | Octantis
ock-TAN-tiss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (140 KB) PDF (821 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Ophiuchus
OFF-ee-YOO-kus, OAF-ee-YOO-kus |
Oph | the Serpent Bearer | Ophiuchi
OFF-ee-YOO-kye, OAF-ee-YOO-kye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (175 KB) PDF (854 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Orion
oh-RYE-un, uh-RYE-un |
Ori | the Hunter | Orionis
or-eye-OH-niss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (181 KB) PDF (873 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Pavo
PAY-vo |
Pav | the Peacock | Pavonis
puh-VOE-niss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (143 KB) PDF (859 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Pegasus
PEG-us-us |
Peg | the Winged Horse | Pegasi
PEG-us-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (136 KB) PDF (868 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Perseus
PER-see-us, PER-syoos |
Per | the Hero | Persei
PER-see-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (127 KB) PDF (836 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Phoenix
FEE-nix |
Phe | the Phoenix
|
Phoenicis
fuh-NICE-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (119 KB) PDF (828 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Pictor
PICK-ter |
Pic | the Painter’s Easel | Pictoris
pick-TOR-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (108 KB) PDF (794 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Pisces
PICE-eez, PISS-eez |
Psc | the Fishes | Piscium
PICE-ee-um, PISH-ee-um |
 Constellation chartsGIF (87 KB) PDF (859 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Piscis Austrinus
PICE-iss (PISS-iss) aw-STRY-nus |
PsA | the Southern Fish | Piscis Austrini
PICE-iss (PISS-iss) aw-STRY-nye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (87 KB) PDF (778 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Puppis
PUP-iss |
Pup | the Stern | Puppis
PUP-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (185 KB) PDF (868 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Pyxis
PIX-iss |
Pyx | the Compass | Pyxidis
PIX-ih-diss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (84 KB) PDF (775 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Reticulum
rih-TICK-yuh-lum |
Ret | the Reticle | Reticuli
rih-TICK-yuh-lye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (107 KB) PDF (786 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Sagitta
suh-JIT-uh |
Sge | the Arrow | Sagittae
suh-JIT-ee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (90 KB) PDF (773 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Sagittarius
SAJ-ih-TARE-ee-us |
Sgr | the Archer | Sagittarii
SAJ-ih-TARE-ee-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (163 KB) PDF (878 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Scorpius
SCOR-pee-us |
Sco | the Scorpion | Scorpii
SCOR-pee-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (194 KB) PDF (874 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Sculptor
SCULP-ter |
Scl | the Sculptor | Sculptoris
sculp-TOR-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (119 KB) PDF (810 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Scutum
SCOOT-um, SCYOOT-um |
Sct | the Shield | Scuti
SCOOT-eye, SCYOOT-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (120 KB) PDF (784 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Serpens
SER-punz |
Ser | the Serpent | Serpentis
ser-PEN-tiss |
 Constellation charts (Serpens Caput)GIF (112 KB) PDF (780 KB) TIF Constellation boundary (Serpens Caput)
Constellation boundary (Serpens Cauda) |
| Sextans
SEX-tunz |
Sex | the Sextant | Sextantis
sex-TAN-tiss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (83 KB) PDF (782 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Taurus
TOR-us |
Tau | the Bull | Tauri
TOR-eye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (115 KB) PDF (832 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Telescopium | Tel | the Telescope | Telescopii |  Constellation chartsGIF (148 KB) PDF (834 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Triangulum
try-ANG-gyuh-lum |
Tri | the Triangle | Trianguli
try-ANG-gyuh-lye |
 Constellation chartsGIF (89 KB) PDF (764 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Triangulum Australe
try-ANG-gyuh-lum aw-STRAL-ee |
TrA | the Southern Triangle | Trianguli Australis
try-ANG-gyuh-lye aw-STRAL-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (124 KB) PDF (815 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Tucana
too-KAY-nuh, too-KAH-nuh |
Tuc | the Toucan | Tucanae
too-KAY-nee, too-KAH-nee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (127 KB) PDF (806 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Ursa Major
ER-suh MAY-jur |
UMa | the Great Bear | Ursae Majoris
ER-suh muh-JOR-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (174 KB) PDF (885 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Ursa Minor
ER-suh MY-ner |
UMi | the Little Bear | Ursae Minoris
ER-suh mih-NOR-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (135 KB) PDF (800 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Vela
VEE-luh, VAY-luh |
Vel | the Sails | Velorum
vee-LOR-um, vuh-LOR-um |
 Constellation chartsGIF (131 KB) PDF (850 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Virgo
VER-go |
Vir | the Maiden | Virginis
VER-jin-iss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (98 KB) PDF (831 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Volans
VOH-lanz |
Vol | the Flying Fish | Volantis
vo-LAN-tiss |
 Constellation chartsGIF (123 KB) PDF (812 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
| Vulpecula
vul-PECK-yuh-luh |
Vul | the Fox | Vulpeculae
vul-PECK-yuh-lee |
 Constellation chartsGIF (124 KB) PDF (805 KB) TIF Constellation boundary |
Charts Text Legend
Each constellation comes with the following basic information:
- Name
- Pronunciation of the name
- Abbreviation
- English Name
- Genitive
- Pronunciation of the genitive
- Chart for screen view (GIF)
- Chart for printing (PDF in A4 format)
- Boundary coordinates (TXT)
Explanation of the fields:
- The name is the Latin name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
- Pronunciation as described above.
- Abbreviation, the standard three-letter form of the Latin name.
- The popular name in English.
- The genitive is the possessive form of the constellation’s name in Latin. For example, alpha Orionis is the alpha star in the constellation of Orion.
- Pronunciation as described above.
- Chart in GIF format, 1000 pixels wide.
- Chart in PDF format, to be printed in A4 format.
- A text file containing a set of coordinates that defines the boundaries of the constellations in the sky. The format is:
HH MM SS.SSSS| DD.DDDDDDD|XXXWhere:
HH MM SS.SSSS defines the right ascension hour, minute and second with J2000 coordinates
DD.DDDDDDD defines the declination with J2000 coordinates
XXX is the abbreviation of the constellation name
| is the separator of the fieldsExample:
22 57 51.6729| 35.1682358|AND
Source: The Constellations | IAU
Robin Edgar
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