Constellations

"Why did not somebody teach me the constellations, and make me at home in the starry heavens, which are always overhead, and which I don't half know to this day?"

~ Thomas Carlyle 1880  

The sky is divided into 88 parts called constellations. In a modern sense, the divisions are large regions on a map similar to countries or states. They are grouped into 8 distinct subgroups or families, with some overlapping. These groupings are based on mythological or other associating factors. You may find it helpful to learn your way across the sky based on these groups.



I. The Ursa Major Family
Ursa Major Ursa Minor Draco Canes Venatici Boötes Coma Berenices Camelopardalis Lynx
Leo Minor Corona Borealis

II. The Zodiac
Leo Virgo Libra Scorpius Sagittarius Capricornus Aquarius Pisces Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer

III. The Perseus Family
Perseus Cassiopeia Cepheus Andromeda Pegasus Cetus Auriga Lacerta Triangulum

IV. The Hercules Family
Hercules Sagitta Aquila Lyra Cygnus Vulpecula Hydra Sextans Crater Corvus Ophiuchus Serpens Scutum Centaurus Lupus Corona Australis Ara Triangulum Australe Crux

V. The Orion Family
Orion Canis Major Canis Minor Monoceros Lepus

VI. The Heavenly Waters
Delphinus Equuleus Eridanus Pisces Austrinus Carina Puppis Vela Pyxis Columba

VII. The Bayer Group (named by Johann Bayer)
Hydrus Dorado Volans Apus Pavo Grus Phoenix Tucana Indus Chamaeleon Musca

VIII. The Lacaille Family (named by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille)
Norma Circinus Telescopium Microscopium Fornax Caelum Horologium Octans Mensa Reticulum Pictor Antlia

The alphabetical listing below is of 51 constellations observable from northern latitudes during the course of a year.

Andromeda Aquarius, the water bearer Aquila, the eagle Aries, the ram Auriga the charioteer Boötes, the bear driver Camelopardalis, the giraffe Cancer, the crab Canes Venatici, hunting dogs Canis Major, larger dog Canis Minor, smaller dog Capricornus, sea goat Cassiopeia Cepheus, Cepheus Cetus, the whale Coma Berenices, Berenices' hair Corona Borealis, northern crown

Corvus, the crow Crater, the cup Cygnus, the swan Delphinus, the dolphin Draco, the dragon Equuleus, the little horse Eridanus, the river Gemini, the twins Hercules Hydra, the sea serpent Lacerta, the lizard Leo, the lion Leo Minor, the small lion Libra, the scales Lynx Lyra, the lyre Monoceros, the unicorn

Ophiuchus, serpent holder Orion Pegasus, the winged horse Perseus Pisces, the fishes Puppis, the ship's stern Sagitta, the arrow Sagittarius, the archer Scorpius, the scorpion Scutum, the shield Serpens, the snake Taurus, the bull Triangulum, the triangle Ursa Major, the large bear Ursa Minor, the small bear Virgo, the maiden Vulpecula, the fox

Some of the constellations listed above are near the equator and thus visible from both north and south latitudes. The listing below is the 36 constellations observable only from southern latitudes during the course of a year.