Unlock the secrets of the night sky with our comprehensive guide to the 88 officially recognized constellations. From ancient Greek myths to modern discoveries, explore the fascinating world of celestial navigation and astronomy.
The 88 Constellations: A Guide to the Stars
The night sky has been mapped and studied for thousands of years, with constellations serving as guides for navigation, storytelling, and scientific observation. The International Astronomical Union officially recognizes 88 modern constellations, each occupying a specific section of the celestial sphere.
Constellations: Ancient and Modern
Some constellation names date back to ancient Greek constellations, while others were introduced in the modern era. These constellations are divided by their visibility in either the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere, depending on their position relative to the celestial equator.
All 88 Officially Recognized Constellations
The International Astronomical Union defines 88 official constellations, each with a designated constellation boundary. Here is a list of all 88 officially recognized constellations:
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognizes 88 officially designated constellations, which are based on ancient Greek and Roman mythology.
These constellations cover the entire celestial sphere, with some overlapping boundaries.
The IAU defined these constellations in 1928 to provide a standardized system for cataloging stars and other celestial objects.
Each constellation is identified by its own unique pattern of stars, often forming recognizable shapes or figures.
Understanding officially recognized constellations helps astronomers organize and classify the vast expanse of the night sky.
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Andromeda – Represents a princess in Greek mythology.
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Antlia – A modern constellation representing an air pump.
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Apus – A southern constellation representing the bird of paradise.
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Aquarius – Represents the water bearer.
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Ara – Symbolizes an altar.
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Aries – Represents a ram from Greek mythology.
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Auriga – Represents a charioteer.
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Boötes – Depicts a herdsman.
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Caelum – A faint constellation representing a chisel.
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Camelopardalis – A faint constellation representing a giraffe.
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Cancer – Represents a crab from Greek mythology.
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Canes Venatici – Depicts two hunting dogs.
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Canis Major – Represents a great dog; home to Sirius, the brightest star visible from Earth.
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Canis Minor – Represents a small dog, featuring the star Procyon.
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Capricornus – Represents a sea-goat.
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Carina – A southern constellation depicting part of a ship.
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Cassiopeia – Represents a queen in Greek mythology.
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Centaurus – A large southern constellation depicting a centaur.
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Cepheus – Represents a king in Greek mythology.
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Cetus – Represents a sea monster from Greek mythology.
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Chamaeleon – A faint constellation named after a chameleon.
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Circinus – A modern constellation representing a compass.
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Columba – Represents a dove.
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Coma Berenices – Represents Berenice’s Hair, from an ancient Egyptian legend.
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Corona Australis – Represents the southern crown.
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Corona Borealis – Represents the northern crown.
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Corvus – Represents a crow.
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Crater – Represents a cup.
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Crux – The Southern Cross, a key navigation aid.
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Cygnus – Depicts a swan in flight.
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Delphinus – Represents a dolphin.
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Dorado – A southern constellation representing a swordfish.
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Draco – A dragon wrapped around the pole star.
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Equuleus – Represents a small horse.
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Eridanus – Represents a river.
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Fornax – A modern constellation representing a furnace.
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Gemini – Represents the twins Castor and Pollux.
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Grus – Represents a crane.
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Hercules – Represents the hero Hercules from Greek mythology.
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Horologium – A modern constellation representing a clock.
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Hydra – The largest constellation, representing a serpent.
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Hydrus – A southern water snake.
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Indus – A modern constellation representing an Indigenous person.
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Lacerta – Represents a lizard.
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Leo – Represents a lion from Greek mythology.
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Leo Minor – A smaller lion.
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Lepus – Represents a hare.
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Libra – Represents the scales.
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Lupus – Represents a wolf.
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Lynx – A faint constellation near Ursa Major.
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Mensa – A modern constellation representing Table Mountain.
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Microscopium – A modern constellation representing a microscope.
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Monoceros – Represents a unicorn.
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Musca – Represents a fly.
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Norma – A modern constellation representing a set square.
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Octans – A southern constellation featuring the south pole star.
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Ophiuchus – Represents a serpent bearer.
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Orion – A hunter from Greek mythology.
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Pavo – Represents a peacock.
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Pegasus – Represents a winged horse.
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Perseus – A hero from Greek mythology.
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Phoenix – A mythical bird.
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Pictor – A modern constellation representing an easel.
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Pisces – Represents fish from Greek mythology.
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Piscis Austrinus – Represents the southern fish.
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Puppis – Part of the ship Argo.
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Pyxis – Represents a mariner’s compass.
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Reticulum – A modern constellation representing a net.
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Sagitta – Represents an arrow.
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Sagittarius – Represents a centaur archer.
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Scorpius – Represents a scorpion.
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Sculptor – A modern constellation representing a sculptor.
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Scutum – Represents a shield.
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Serpens – A constellation divided into two parts, representing a serpent.
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Sextans – A modern constellation representing a sextant.
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Taurus – Represents a bull from Greek mythology.
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Telescopium – A modern constellation representing a telescope.
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Triangulum – Represents a triangle.
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Triangulum Australe – The Southern Triangle.
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Tucana – Represents a toucan.
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Ursa Major – A large bear, home to the Big Dipper.
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Ursa Minor – A small bear, home to Polaris, the pole star.
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Vela – Part of the ship Argo.
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Virgo – Represents a maiden.
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Volans – Represents a flying fish.
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Vulpecula – Represents a little fox.
Constellations Visible Only From the Northern Hemisphere
Some constellations are exclusive to the Northern Hemisphere and never appear in views from the Southern Hemisphere. These constellations lie above the celestial equator and include some of the most well-known constellation line figures, such as Ursa Major and Cassiopeia.
The northern hemisphere is home to numerous prominent constellations, visible on clear nights throughout the year.
Cassiopeia, named after a queen in Greek mythology, is one of the most recognizable patterns, resembling a 'W' or 'M' shape.
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are also prominent, featuring the Big Dipper and Little Dipper asterisms.
Orion, known for its bright red giant Betelgeuse, is visible during winter months.
These constellations have been used for navigation and timekeeping for centuries.
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Andromeda
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Aries
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Auriga
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Boötes
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Camelopardalis
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Canes Venatici
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Cassiopeia
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Cepheus
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Coma Berenices
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Corona Borealis
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Cygnus
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Delphinus
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Draco
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Hercules
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Lacerta
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Lyra
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Pegasus
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Perseus
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Sagitta
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Triangulum
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Ursa Major
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Ursa Minor
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Vulpecula
Constellations Visible Only From the Southern Hemisphere
Some constellations are exclusive to the Southern Hemisphere and never appear in the Northern Hemisphere. These constellations lie below the celestial equator and include many prominent southern constellations used for navigation and astronomy.
The southern hemisphere offers a unique view of the night sky, with numerous constellations visible to observers in the region.
One of the most prominent constellations is Crux, also known as the Southern Cross, which is easily recognizable by its four bright stars.
Other notable constellations include Carina, Centaurus, and Triangulum Australe.
These constellations are best viewed from March to September, when they are highest in the sky.
Statistics show that over 50% of the world's population can see these constellations on a clear night.
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Apus
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Ara
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Caelum
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Carina
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Centaurus
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Chamaeleon
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Circinus
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Crux
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Dorado
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Grus
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Horologium
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Hydrus
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Indus
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Mensa
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Microscopium
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Musca
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Norma
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Octans
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Pavo
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Pictor
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Puppis
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Pyxis
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Reticulum
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Sculptor
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Telescopium
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Triangulum Australe
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Tucana
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Vela
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Volans
- howstuffworks.com | 88 Constellation Names (and 24 You Can Only See From the Northern Hemisphere)
