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 entire 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
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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 |
Genitive |
Origin |
Meaning |
Brightest star |
IAU[4] |
NASA[5] |
Andromeda
[6] |
And |
Andr |
Andromedae
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
Andromeda (The chained maiden or princess) |
Alpheratz |
Antlia
[6] |
Ant |
Antl |
Antliae
|
1763, Lacaille |
air pump |
α Antliae |
Apus
[7] |
Aps |
Apus |
Apodis
[7] |
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
Bird-of-paradise/Exotic Bird/Extraordinary Bird |
α Apodis |
Aquarius
[6] |
Aqr |
Aqar |
Aquarii
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
water-bearer |
Sadalsuud |
Aquila
[6] |
Aql |
Aqil |
Aquilae
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
eagle |
Altair |
Ara
[7] |
Ara |
Arae |
Arae
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
altar |
β Arae |
Aries
[6][7] |
Ari |
Arie |
Arietis
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
ram |
Hamal |
Auriga
[6][7] |
Aur |
Auri |
Aurigae
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
charioteer |
Capella |
Boötes
[6] |
Boo |
Boot |
Boötis
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
herdsman |
Arcturus |
Caelum
[7] |
Cae |
Cael |
Caeli
[7] |
1763, Lacaille |
chisel or engraving tool |
α Caeli |
Camelopardalis
[7] |
Cam |
Caml |
Camelopardalis
[7] |
1613, Plancius[Note 1] |
giraffe |
β Camelopardalis |
Cancer
[6] |
Cnc |
Canc |
Cancri
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
crab |
Tarf[8] |
Canes Venatici
[7] |
CVn |
CVen |
Canum Venaticorum
|
1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius |
hunting dogs |
Cor Caroli |
Canis Major
[7] |
CMa |
CMaj |
Canis Majoris
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
greater dog |
Sirius |
Canis Minor
[7] |
CMi |
CMin |
Canis Minoris
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
lesser dog |
Procyon |
Capricornus
[7] |
Cap |
Capr |
Capricorni
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
sea goat |
Deneb Algedi |
Carina
[6] |
Car |
Cari |
Carinae
|
1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis |
keel |
Canopus |
Cassiopeia
[6][7] |
Cas |
Cass |
Cassiopeiae
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
Cassiopeia (mythological character) |
Schedar[8] |
Centaurus
[6] |
Cen |
Cent |
Centauri
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
centaur |
Rigil Kentaurus[8] |
Cepheus
[7] |
Cep |
Ceph |
Cephei
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
Cepheus (mythological character) |
Alderamin |
Cetus
[7] |
Cet |
Ceti |
Ceti
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
sea monster (later interpreted as a whale) |
Diphda[8] |
Chamaeleon
[6] |
Cha |
Cham |
Chamaeleontis
|
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
chameleon |
α Chamaeleontis |
Circinus
[6] |
Cir |
Circ |
Circini
|
1763, Lacaille |
compasses |
α Circini |
Columba
[6] |
Col |
Colm |
Columbae
|
1592, Plancius, split from Canis Major |
dove |
Phact |
Coma Berenices
[7] |
Com |
Coma |
Comae Berenices
[7] |
1536, Caspar Vopel,[9] split from Leo |
Berenice's hair |
β Comae Berenices |
Corona Australis
[6][7] |
CrA |
CorA |
Coronae Australis
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
southern crown |
Meridiana[8] |
Corona Borealis
[6][7] |
CrB |
CorB |
Coronae Borealis
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
northern crown |
Alphecca |
Corvus
[6] |
Crv |
Corv |
Corvi
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
crow |
Gienah |
Crater
[6] |
Crt |
Crat |
Crateris
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
cup |
δ Crateris |
Crux
[6] |
Cru |
Cruc |
Crucis
|
1603, Uranometria, split from Centaurus |
southern cross |
Acrux |
Cygnus
[6] |
Cyg |
Cygn |
Cygni
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
swan or Northern Cross |
Deneb |
Delphinus
[6] |
Del |
Dlph |
Delphini
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
dolphin |
Rotanev |
Dorado
[10] |
Dor |
Dora |
Doradus
|
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
dolphinfish |
α Doradus |
Draco
[7] |
Dra |
Drac |
Draconis
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
dragon |
Eltanin[8] |
Equuleus
[7] |
Equ |
Equl |
Equulei
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
pony |
Kitalpha |
Eridanus
[7] |
Eri |
Erid |
Eridani
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
river Eridanus (mythology) |
Achernar |
Fornax
|
For |
Forn |
Fornacis
|
1763, Lacaille |
chemical furnace |
Dalim[8] |
Gemini
[6] |
Gem |
Gemi |
Geminorum
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
twins |
Pollux |
Grus
[7] |
Gru |
Grus |
Gruis
[7] |
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
crane |
Alnair |
Hercules
[7] |
Her |
Herc |
Herculis
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
Hercules (mythological character) |
Kornephoros |
Horologium
[6][7] |
Hor |
Horo |
Horologii
|
1763, Lacaille |
pendulum clock |
α Horologii |
Hydra
[6] |
Hya |
Hyda |
Hydrae
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
Hydra (mythological creature) |
Alphard |
Hydrus
[6] |
Hyi |
Hydi |
Hydri
|
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
lesser water snake |
β Hydri |
Indus
[6] |
Ind |
Indi |
Indi
|
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
Indian (of unspecified type) |
α Indi |
Lacerta
[6] |
Lac |
Lacr |
Lacertae
|
1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius |
lizard |
α Lacertae |
Leo
[6] |
Leo |
Leon |
Leonis
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
lion |
Regulus |
Leo Minor
[6] |
LMi |
LMin |
Leonis Minoris
|
1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius |
lesser lion |
Praecipua |
Lepus
[7] |
Lep |
Leps |
Leporis
[6][7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
hare |
Arneb |
Libra
[6] |
Lib |
Libr |
Librae
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
balance |
Zubeneschamali[8] |
Lupus
[6] |
Lup |
Lupi |
Lupi
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
wolf |
α Lupi |
Lynx
[6] |
Lyn |
Lync |
Lyncis
|
1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius |
lynx |
α Lyncis |
Lyra
[6] |
Lyr |
Lyra |
Lyrae
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
lyre / harp |
Vega |
Mensa
[6] |
Men |
Mens |
Mensae
|
Mons Mensæ, 1763, Lacaille |
Table Mountain (South Africa) |
α Mensae |
Microscopium
|
Mic |
Micr |
Microscopii
|
1763, Lacaille |
microscope |
γ Microscopii |
Monoceros
[6][7] |
Mon |
Mono |
Monocerotis
|
1613, Plancius |
unicorn |
β Monocerotis |
Musca
[7] |
Mus |
Musc |
Muscae
[6][7] |
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
fly |
α Muscae |
Norma
[6] |
Nor |
Norm |
Normae
[6] |
1763, Lacaille |
carpenter's level |
γ2 Normae |
Octans
[7] |
Oct |
Octn |
Octantis
[7] |
1763, Lacaille |
octant (instrument) |
ν Octantis |
Ophiuchus
[6] |
Oph |
Ophi |
Ophiuchi
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
serpent-bearer |
Rasalhague |
Orion
[6] |
Ori |
Orio |
Orionis
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
Orion (mythological character) |
Rigel |
Pavo
[6][7] |
Pav |
Pavo |
Pavonis
[7] |
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
peacock |
Peacock |
Pegasus
[6] |
Peg |
Pegs |
Pegasi
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
Pegasus (mythological winged horse) |
Enif |
Perseus
[7] |
Per |
Pers |
Persei
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
Perseus (mythological character) |
Mirfak |
Phoenix
[6] |
Phe |
Phoe |
Phoenicis
|
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
phoenix |
Ankaa |
Pictor
[7] |
Pic |
Pict |
Pictoris
[7] |
Equuleus Pictoris, 1763, Lacaille |
easel |
α Pictoris |
Pisces
[6][7] |
Psc |
Pisc |
Piscium
[7] |
ancient (Ptolemy) |
fishes |
Alpherg |
Piscis Austrinus
|
PsA |
PscA |
Piscis Austrini
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
southern fish |
Fomalhaut |
Puppis
[7] |
Pup |
Pupp |
Puppis
[7][Note 2] |
1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis |
poop deck |
Naos |
Pyxis
[6] |
Pyx |
Pyxi |
Pyxidis
|
1763, Lacaille |
mariner's compass |
α Pyxidis |
Reticulum
[6] |
Ret |
Reti |
Reticuli
|
1763, Lacaille |
eyepiece graticule |
α Reticuli |
Sagitta
[6] |
Sge |
Sgte |
Sagittae
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
arrow |
γ Sagittae |
Sagittarius
[6] |
Sgr |
Sgtr |
Sagittarii
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
archer |
Kaus Australis |
Scorpius
[6] |
Sco |
Scor |
Scorpii
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
scorpion |
Antares |
Sculptor
[6] |
Scl |
Scul |
Sculptoris
|
1763, Lacaille |
sculptor |
α Sculptoris |
Scutum
[6] |
Sct |
Scut |
Scuti
|
1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius |
shield (of Sobieski) |
α Scuti |
Serpens[11]
|
Ser |
Serp |
Serpentis
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
snake |
Unukalhai |
Sextans
[7] |
Sex |
Sext |
Sextantis
[7] |
1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius |
sextant |
α Sextantis |
Taurus
[6] |
Tau |
Taur |
Tauri
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
bull |
Aldebaran |
Telescopium
|
Tel |
Tele |
Telescopii
|
1763, Lacaille |
telescope |
α Telescopii |
Triangulum
|
Tri |
Tria |
Trianguli
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
triangle |
β Trianguli |
Triangulum Australe
|
TrA |
TrAu |
Trianguli Australis
|
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
southern triangle |
Atria |
Tucana
|
Tuc |
Tucn |
Tucanae
|
1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
toucan |
α Tucanae |
Ursa Major
[6] |
UMa |
UMaj |
Ursae Majoris
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
great bear |
Alioth |
Ursa Minor
[6] |
UMi |
UMin |
Ursae Minoris
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
lesser bear |
Polaris |
Vela
[6] |
Vel |
Velr |
Velorum
|
1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis |
sails |
γ2 Velorum |
Virgo
[6] |
Vir |
Virg |
Virginis
|
ancient (Ptolemy) |
virgin or maiden |
Spica |
Volans
[7] |
Vol |
Voln |
Volantis
[7] |
Piscis Volans, 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Houtman |
flying fish |
β Volantis |
Vulpecula
[6] |
Vul |
Vulp |
Vulpeculae
|
Vulpecula cum Ansere, 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius |
fox |
Anser |
Asterisms
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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
References
External links
Constellation history
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The 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy after 150 AD
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The 41 additional constellations added in the 16th and 17th centuries
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- obsolete constellation names
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Template:Dutch constellations
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People |
|
|
Notable works |
- Itinerario (1596 book)
- Historia Naturalis Brasiliae (1648 book)
- An embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces (1665 book)
- Illustrations of Japan (book)
- Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën (1724 book)
- Leo Belgicus
- Mercator's 1569 World Map
- Atlas Cosmographicae (Mercator's 1596 World Atlas)
- Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the Orb of the World, 1570)
- Maris Pacifici (1589)
- Speculum Orbis Terrarum (1578)
- Mercator-Hondius Atlas
- Atlas Blaeu-Van der Hem
- Atlas Maior
- Atlas van Loon
- Spieghel der Zeevaerdt (Mariner's Mirror)
- Atlas de Wit
- Atlas Minor
- Atlas Novus
- Beudeker Collection
- Blaeu Atlas of Scotland
- Caert van't Landt van d'Eendracht
- Klencke Atlas
- Speculum Orbis Terrae (1593)
- Civitates Orbis Terrarum (1572–1618)
- Tasman Map (c. 1644)
- Plenilunii Lumina Austriaca Philippica (Van Langren's map of the Moon, 1645)
- Harmonia Macrocosmica
- Dutch-created constellations (include: Apus, Camelopardalis, Chamaeleon, Cancer Minor, Columba, Crux, Dorado, Gallus, Grus, Hydrus, Indus, Jordanus, Monoceros, Musca / Apis, Musca Borealis / Apes, Phoenix, Tigris, Triangulum Australe, Tucana, Volans)
|
Main centres |
|
General |
|
Related |
- Search for the Northeast Passage
- Search for the Northwest Passage
- Dutch discovery, exploration and mapping of Svalbard (cartography of Svalbard/Spitsbergen)
- Dutch discovery, exploration and mapping of Jan Mayen (cartography of Jan Mayen)
- European exploration and mapping of Southern Africa
- Search for the Great Southern Land/Great Unknown South Land (Terra Australis Nondum Cognita/Terra Australis Incognita)
- European maritime exploration of Australia (Janszoon voyage of 1605–06, Brouwer Route, Hartog's Plate, Eendrachtsland, Anthoonij van Diemens Landt, Nova Hollandia/Nieuw Holland)
- European land exploration of Australia
- Dutch discovery, exploration and mapping of Australasia (cartography of Australasia)
- Dutch discovery, exploration and mapping of Nova Hollandia (cartography of Australia / New Holland)
- Dutch discovery, exploration and mapping of Tasmania/Van Diemen's Land (cartography of Tasmania)
- Dutch discovery, exploration and mapping of the Australian continent (cartography of the Australian continent)
- Dutch discovery, exploration and mapping of the Australian mainland (cartography of the Australian mainland)
- Dutch discovery, exploration and mapping of Nova Zeelandia (cartography of New Zealand / Nova Zeelandia)
- Dutch exploration and mapping of Taiwan/Formosa (cartography of Taiwan/Formosa)
- Dutch exploration and mapping of the East Indies (cartography of the East Indies)
- Dutch exploration and mapping of Southern Africa (cartography of Southern Africa)
- Dutch exploration and mapping of South Africa (cartography of South Africa)
- Dutch exploration and mapping of the Americas
- Dutch exploration and mapping of the Pacific
- Dutch discovery and exploration of Easter Island
- VOC cartography (cartography in the VOC World)
- WIC/GWIC cartography (cartography in the WIC/GWIC World)
- Dutch colonial cartography
- Science and technology in the Dutch Republic (Golden Age of Dutch science and technology)
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Influences |
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Influenced |
- History of cartography (First true atlas in the modern sense, 1570)
- History of geography (First undisputed non-Indigenous discovery, exploration and mapping of Australasia, including the Australian continent and New Zealand, excluding New Guinea, 1606–1646)
- History of geodesy and surveying (First published systematic uses of the triangulation method in modern surveying and mapmaking, 1533–1615)
- History of navigation (First published use of the Mercator projection for maritime navigation, 1569; Discovery of the Brouwer Route, 1611)
- History of hydrography (First printed nautical atlas in the modern sense, 1584)
- History of selenography / lunar cartography (First published scientific map of the Moon with a topographical nomenclature, 1645)
- History of uranography / celestial cartography (First documented systematic mapping of the far southern sky, 1595–1599)
- History of astronomy (88 modern constellations / IAU-recognized constellations)
- History of cosmography
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Depictions in art1 |
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Field of studies |
- Notable scholars
- Bibliography
- Atlantes Neerlandici (book)
- Monumenta Cartographica Neerlandica (book)
- Grote Atlas van de Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (book)
- Grote Atlas van de West-Indische Compagnie (book)
- Caert-Thresoor: Tijdschrift voor de Geschiedenis van de Kartografie (journal)
- Explokart (research programme at Utrecht University)
- Brussels Map Circle (previously the Brussels International Map Collectors' Circle)
- Australia on the Map (history and heritage division of the Australasian Hydrographic Society)
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