List of Constellations
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, U.S. frigate, launched in 1797. It was named by President Washington for the constellation of 15 stars in the U.S. flag of that time. The frigate was built to serve against the pirates of the Barbary States, but after the outbreak (1798) of hostilities between
..... Click the link for more information. , constellation , in astronomyconstellation,
in common usage, group of stars that appear to form a configuration in the sky; properly speaking, a constellation is a definite region of the sky in which the configuration of stars is contained.
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| Constellation | English name | Position | |
| R.A. | DEC. | ||
| AndromedaAndromeda, in astronomy, northern constellation located to the NE of Pegasus and to the S of Cassiopeia. Its brightest star, Alpheratz (Alpha Andromedae), marks the northeast corner of the Great Square in Pegasus. ..... Click the link for more information. | Andromeda (Chained Lady) | 1 | +43 |
| Antlia | Air Pump | 10 | −33 |
| Apus | Bird of Paradise | 16 | −75 |
| AquariusAquarius [Lat.,=water carrier], large constellation located on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Capricornus and Pisces; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Aquarius is sometimes represented as a man pouring water from a jar. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Water Bearer | 23 | −13 |
| AquilaAquila [Lat.,=the eagle], equatorial constellation located N of Sagittarius and Capricornus, lying partly in the Milky Way. It is sometimes depicted as an eagle. It contains the bright star Altair (Alpha Aquilae) and the pulsating variable star Eta Aquilae. ..... Click the link for more information. | Eagle | 20 | +4 |
| Ara | Altar | 17 | −52 |
| AriesAries [Lat.,=the ram], constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Taurus and Pisces; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It contains the bright star Hamal (Alpha Arietis). ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Ram | 2 | +19 |
| AurigaAuriga [Lat.,=the charioteer or wagoner], northern constellation traditionally represented as a man, possibly Vulcan, carrying a goat on his shoulder while driving a chariot. It lies E of Perseus and N of Gemini and Taurus. ..... Click the link for more information. | Charioteer | 6 | +42 |
| BoötesBoötes [Gr.,=the herdsman], northern constellation located to the SE of the Big Dipper in Ursa Major and W of Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown. It contains the brilliant orange star Arcturus. ..... Click the link for more information. | Herdsman | 15 | +34 |
| Caelum | Chisel | 5 | −39 |
| Camelopardalis | Giraffe | 5 | +67 |
| CancerCancer [Lat.,=the crab], in astronomy, constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Gemini and Leo; it is a constellation of the zodiac. It contains the star cluster Praesepe, but no bright stars. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Crab | 8 | +14 |
| Canes Venatici | Hunting Dogs | 13 | +43 |
| Canis MajorCanis Major [Lat.,=greater dog], constellation lying near the celestial equator, SE of Orion. Known as the Large Dog (Canis Minor is the Small Dog), it was associated with the figure of a dog by many cultures; the ancient Greeks identified it as one of Orion's hunting dogs, ..... Click the link for more information. | Large Dog | 7 | −23 |
| Canis MinorCanis Minor [Lat.,=lesser dog], small constellation ying near the celestial equator, E of Orion and NE of Canis Major, the Large Dog. Known as the Small Dog, Canis Minor is traditionally identified as one of Orion's hunting dogs. It contains the bright star Procyon. ..... Click the link for more information. | Small Dog | 7 | +25 |
| CapricornusCapricornus [Lat.,=the goat horn], inconspicuous southern constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Sagittarius and Aquarius; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | (Sea) Goat | 21 | −21 |
| CarinaCarina [Lat.,=the keel], southern constellation, representing the keel of the ancient constellation Argo Navis, or Ship of the Argonauts. Carina contains Canopus, the second brightest star in the sky. ..... Click the link for more information. | Keel | 9 | −62 |
| CassiopeiaCassiopeia, in astronomy, prominent northern constellation located almost directly opposite the Big Dipper across the north celestial pole. Five bright stars in the constellation form a rough W (or M) in the sky. ..... Click the link for more information. | Cassiopeia (Seated Lady) | 1 | +64 |
| CentaurusCentaurus , southern constellation located N and E of Crux, the Southern Cross. It is known especially for its bright stars Alpha Centauri and Hadar. It also contains Centaurus A, a radio galaxy, as well as a globular star cluster visible to the naked eye. ..... Click the link for more information. | Centaur | 13 | −44 |
| Cepheus | Cepheus (the King) | 22 | +68 |
| Cetus | Whale | 1 | −6 |
| Chamaeleon | Chamaeleon | 11 | −78 |
| Circinus | Pair of Compasses | 15 | −65 |
| Columba | Dove | 5 | −32 |
| Coma Berenices | Berenice's Hair | 13 | +22 |
| Corona Australis | Southern Crown | 19 | −40 |
| Corona BorealisCorona Borealis [Lat.,=the northern crown], northern constellation lying between Hercules and Boötes. Its name derives from the crown Bacchus gave Ariadne when she was deserted by Theseus. ..... Click the link for more information. | Northern Crown | 16 | +31 |
| Corvus | Crow | 12 | −14 |
| Crater | Cup | 11 | −13 |
| CruxCrux [Lat.,=cross], small but brilliant southern constellation whose four most prominent members form a Latin cross, the famous Southern Cross. The long arm of the cross, terminating in the brightest member, Acrux (Alpha Crucis), points almost directly at the south celestial ..... Click the link for more information. | Southern Cross | 12 | −61 |
| CygnusCygnus [Lat.,=the swan], northern constellation located SE of Draco and NW of Pegasus. It was depicted as a bird by most ancient cultures. It is sometimes called the Northern Cross because five of its brightest stars form a huge Latin cross. ..... Click the link for more information. | Swan | 21 | +48 |
| Delphinus | Dolphin | 21 | +18 |
| Dorado | Dorado (a fish) | 5 | −64 |
| DracoDraco [Lat.,=the dragon], northern constellation lying SE of Ursa Minor and N of Lyra and Hercules. It is traditionally depicted as a dragon. Draco contains the bright star Eltanin (Gamma Draconis). Thuban (Alpha Draconis) was the polestar 5,000 years ago, i.e. ..... Click the link for more information. | Dragon | 17 | +61 |
| Equuleus | Colt | 21 | +8 |
| EridanusEridanus , large southern constellation stretching SW from Orion for about 60°. Because of its long, winding shape it was identified with a river by many ancient civilizations; e.g., the Egyptians called it the Nile and the Babylonians called it the Euphrates. ..... Click the link for more information. | Eridanus (a river) | 4 | −18 |
| Fornax | Furnace | 3 | −31 |
| GeminiGemini [Lat.,=the twins], northern constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Taurus and Cancer, N of Canis Minor; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Gemini is traditionally depicted as two men. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Twins | 7 | +18 |
| Grus | Crane | 22 | −41 |
| HerculesHercules , in astronomy, northern constellation located between Lyra and Corona Borealis. It is traditionally depicted as the hero Hercules in a kneeling position. There are no very bright stars in Hercules and only three of third magnitude, the brightest of which, Ras Algethi ..... Click the link for more information. | Hercules | 18 | +22 |
| Horologium | Clock | 3 | −53 |
| HydraHydra, in astronomy, southern constellation lying S of Corvus, Crater, Virgo, Leo, and Cancer. It is a long, slender, winding constellation traditionally depicted as a snake and known also as the Water Monster or Sea Serpent. ..... Click the link for more information. | Water Monster | 10 | −16 |
| Hydrus | Water Snake | 3 | −72 |
| Indus | Indian | 21 | −54 |
| Lacerta | Lizard | 22 | +45 |
| LeoLeo [Lat.,=the lion], northern constellation lying S of Ursa Major and on the ecliptic (apparent path of the sun through the heavens) between Cancer and Virgo; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Lion | 11 | +17 |
| Leo Minor | Small Lion | 10 | +35 |
| Lepus | Hare | 5 | −23 |
| LibraLibra [Lat.,=the scales], southern constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Virgo and Scorpius; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Sometimes depicted as a pair of scales, it is also known as the Balance. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Balance | 15 | −13 |
| Lupus | Wolf | 15 | −36 |
| Lynx | Lynx | 8 | +41 |
| LyraLyra [Lat.,=the lyre], northern constellation lying S of Draco, E of Hercules, and W of Cygnus. Although many civilizations represented it as a bird, it was also depicted as a tortoise. ..... Click the link for more information. | Lyre | 19 | +42 |
| Mensa | Table | 6 | −78 |
| Microscopium | Microscope | 21 | −36 |
| Monoceros | Unicorn | 7 | −8 |
| Musca | Fly | 13 | −72 |
| Norma | T-square | 16 | −52 |
| Octans | Octant | 20 | −79 |
| Ophiuchus | Serpent Holder | 17 | −7 |
| OrionOrion, in astronomy, constellation located on the celestial equator. It is one of the most conspicuous and easily recognizable constellations in the entire sky. From ancient times it has been mentioned in the literature of many peoples and is traditionally depicted as the figure ..... Click the link for more information. | Orion (the Hunter) | 5 | +2 |
| Pavo | Peacock | 19 | −64 |
| PegasusPegasus , in astronomy, northern constellation lying SW of Andromeda and SE of Cygnus. It is named for the mythological winged horse Pegasus. The constellation is easily recognized by the Great Square formed by the bright stars Markab (Alpha Pegasi) at the southwest corner, ..... Click the link for more information. | Pegasus (Winged Horse) | 22 | +18 |
| PerseusPerseus, in astronomy, northern constellation lying E of Cassiopeia and N of Taurus. It contains the bright star Mirfak (Alpha Persei) and Algol (Beta Persei), a visible variable star of the type known as an eclipsing variable. ..... Click the link for more information. | Perseus (Rescuer of Andromeda) | 4 | +44 |
| Phoenix | Phoenix | 0 | −52 |
| Pictor | Painter's Easel | 5 | −49 |
| PiscesPisces [Lat.,=the fishes], constellation lying directly S of Andromeda and on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Aries and Aquarius; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Pisces is traditionally depicted as two fishes. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Fishes | 1 | +12 |
| Piscis Austinus | Southern Fish | 22 | −28 |
| Puppis | Stern | 7 | −39 |
| Pyxis | Mariner's Compass | 9 | −32 |
| Reticulum | Net | 4 | −64 |
| Sagitta | Arrow | 19 | +18 |
| SagittariusSagittarius [Lat.,=the archer], constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Scorpius and Capricornus; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It is traditionally depicted as a centaur drawing his bow to release an arrow. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Archer | 19 | −32 |
| ScorpiusScorpius or Scorpio [Lat.,=the scorpion], conspicuous southern constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Sagittarius and Libra; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Scorpion | 17 | −32 |
| Sculptor | Sculptor's Workshop | 0 | −32 |
| Scutum | Shield | 19 | −11 |
| Serpens—Caput | Serpent—Head | 16 | +10 |
| Serpens—Cauda | Serpent—Tail | 18 | −13 |
| Sextans | Sextant | 10 | −5 |
| TaurusTaurus [Lat.,= the bull], in astronomy, constellation NW of Orion and lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Gemini and Aries; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Bull | 4 | +25 |
| Telescopium | Telescope | 19 | −51 |
| Triangulum | Triangle | 2 | +32 |
| Triangulum Australe | Southern Triangle | 16 | −65 |
| Tucana | Toucan | 23 | −63 |
| Ursa MajorUrsa Major and Ursa Minor [Lat.,=the great bear; the little bear], two conspicuous northern constellations. Known to many peoples from ancient times, these constellations have had various names; the configuration of the ..... Click the link for more information. | Large Bear | 10 | +48 |
| Ursa Minor | Small Bear | 15 | +73 |
| Vela | Sails | 9 | −46 |
| VirgoVirgo [Lat.,=the virgin], constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Libra and Leo, and SW of Boötes; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ..... Click the link for more information. 1 | Virgin | 13 | −3 |
| Volans | Flying Fish | 8 | −69 |
| Vulpecula | Little Fox | 20 | +25 |